The *green forester* (Adscita statices), *metaalvlinder* in Dutch, is found in Europe, Mongolia and western Russia.

They fly in sunshine from May to August and are often found near sorrel, their host plant.

![](http://www.den-uijl.nl/photography/stored/Metaalvlinder1.jpg)
*<sup>Olympus XZ-1, 28mm, ISO200, f8, 1/80s</sup>*

![](http://www.den-uijl.nl/photography/stored/Metaalvlinder3.jpg)
*<sup>Olympus XZ-1, 28mm, ISO200, f5.6, 1/60s</sup>*

They have a cousin that is rare in The Netherlands, the smaller *Blackthorn Aurora Moth* (Rhagades pruni), *bruine metaalvlinder* in Dutch. It hides well, doesn't visit flowers, and isn't attracted by light, so it is probably overlooked often and could be less rare than the books say.

I did manage to make one photo of this species:

![](http://www.den-uijl.nl/photography/stored/BruineMetaalvlinder3.jpg)
*<sup>Olympus XZ-1, 28mm, ISO400, f8, 1/125s</sup>*

Apart from the colour of the wings, there is another difference: these have almost no proboscis (the "roll-up tongue" some insects feed with), and it doesn't eat as an adult.

They also look more ominous, but that could just be me.

Thanks for watching!

*Previous in series: [Clouded Buff](https://steemit.com/photography/@ocrdu/moths-clouded-buff).*