Archiearis parthenias (Linnaeus, 1761)
(Orange Underwing)

Taxonomic hierarchy:
SpeciesArchiearis parthenias (Orange Underwing)
GenusArchiearis (orange underwings)
SubfamilyARCHIEARINAE (orange underwings)
FamilyGEOMETRIDAE (geometrids, carpets, pugs and loopers)
SuperfamilyGEOMETROIDEA (butterfly moths)
CladeMacrolepidoptera (macro-moths)
CladeObtectomera (butterflies and most moths)
CladeApoditrysia (butterflies and most moths)
InfraorderDitrysia (butterflies and most moths)
InfraorderHeteroneura (an infraorder of moths and butterflies)
SuborderGLOSSATA (a suborder of moths)
OrderLEPIDOPTERA (butterflies and moths)
Division Endopterygota (bees, beetles, flies, moths and other insects with wings developing internally)
InfraclassNeoptera (bees, beetles, flies, grasshoppers, moths and other advanced insects)
SubclassPTERYGOTA (bees, beetles, dragonflies, flies, grasshoppers, moths and other winged insects)
ClassINSECTA (true insects)
SubphylumHEXAPODA (insects and other 6-legged organisms)
PhylumARTHROPODA (arthropods)
SuperphylumECDYSOZOA (skin shedders)
CladeBilateria (bilaterally symmetrical animals)
SubkingdomEUMETAZOA (metazoans)
KingdomANIMALIA (animals)
DomainEukaryota (eukaryotes)
LifeBIOTA (living things)
Records of Archiearis parthenias (Orange Underwing) :
1: Archiearis parthenias (Orange Underwing)
26 Mar 2005 OSGR: SU56 51° 20’ N, 1° 10’ W Vice County: Berks (VC 22) England
just taking flight at 10am GMT.
Image 1: Adult - natural backgroundImage 2: Adult - natural background (2)Image 3: Adult - natural background (3)Image 4: Dorsal - hindwings hiddenImage 5: Dorsal - showing bit of hindwingsImage 6: Dorsal - showing hindwingsImage 7: Dorsal view - natural backgroundImage 8: Dorsal view - natural background (2)Image 9: Dorsal view - natural background (3)Image 10: Dorsal view - natural background (4)Image 11: Lateral view - natural backgroundImage 12: Ventral - diagnostic extension to orange area markedImage 13: Ventral view
2: Archiearis parthenias (Orange Underwing) IDENTIFICATION UNCERTAIN
27 Apr 1971 OSGR: TG10 52° 40’ N, 1° 10’ E Vice County: East Norfolk (VC 27) England
Larvae of two colour forms: pale green and brown. The brown forms proved to be parasitised.
Image 1: Larvae - parasitised (L) and normal (R) - enlargedImage 2: Larvae - parasitised (L) and normal (R) - enlarged (2)Image 3: Larva - normal form - lateral view - enlargedImage 4: Larva - parasitised - lateral view - enlarged

Archiearis parthenias (Orange Underwing) may be included in identification literature listed under the following higher taxa:

NBNNBN (data.nbn.org.uk) has a distribution map for Archiearis parthenias (Orange Underwing)
BioInfoBioInfo (www.bioinfo.org.uk) has 0 host/parasite/foodplant and/or other relationships for Archiearis parthenias (Orange Underwing)

If Aspen (Populus tremula) is in the area (as it often is near birch), then care must be taken to distinguish the present species from the Light Orange Underwing (A. notha). Examine the orange area on the underside of the hindwing which has a rounded extension towards the margin in the present species; this is absent in notha.

This day-flying species characteristically flies around the top of birch trees, but spends the night at ground level. It can be put up in early morning (eg 10am), as you walk through and can then be netted to confirm identity. Once disturbed they rapidly ascend out of reach, so dexterity with a net is useful.

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