Maps updated: April 2008

Tethea or (Denis & Schiff., 1775)

Description: Wingspan 38-43mm. Adults can be distinguished from other lutestrings by the four medial bands across the grey-coloured forewings and the yellow stigma.

Sets:

Flight Period: Adults have been recorded from as early as mid-May until late July.

Status: Local, and only reliable recorded from Fermanagh. Here it has been recorded from the Crom Estate and surrounding area in the south of the county and from Garvary Wood and Lusty More Island on Lower Lough Erne in the north west. There are old records from Hillsborough and Crawfordsburn in Down, and Rea's Wood in Antrim but as no voucher specimens exist, these are regarded as dubious. However, it may be worth investigating areas in the east where there are old established poplars for undetected populations.

Ecology: A scarce species associated with woodland and lakeshore habitats in Fermanagh where old established poplar and aspens grow. This species may be more widespread than records suggest. Iinvestigation of other shoreline habitats where the foodplant exists may yield further populations. The larva feed at night on the leaves of aspen. It spends the winter months in the pupal stage.

Caterpillar: