Maps updated: April 2008

Dryobotodes eremita (Fabricius, 1775)

Description: Wingspan 32-39 mm. Colouration can vary between individuals. Forewings are generally greyish green giving an overall mottled appearance. Antemedian and postmedian lines are paler; subterminal line paler and irregular; stigmata paler and usually distinct. Hindwings are light fuscous with a small discal spot or lunule.

Key Identification Features:

• Mottled appearance
• Irregular subterminal line
• Light hindwings with a small discal spot or lunule

Sets:

Flight Period: Beginning of August to mid-October.

Status: A scarce, local species found in widely scattered sites across southern counties. It has been frequently recorded from well-known sites such as the Argory, Armagh Crom Estate, Fermanagh and more recently Rostrevor Oakwood National Nature Reserve, Down. According to Baynes it has a mainly northern and eastern distribution in Ireland.

Ecology: A scarce autumnal species found in mature woodland. Adults come sparingly to light and will also visit overripe blackberries. The larvae feed from March until June inside the developing buds of oak Quercus spp. It overwinters as an egg.

World Distribution: Throughout western Europe from central Spain to southern Scandinavia.

Caterpillar: