Acronicta euphorbiae myricae (Guenee, 1852)

Description: Wingspan 32-40 mm. Forewings are heavily mottled light and dark grey. Antemedian and postmedian lines are indistinct. The stigmata are white and finely outlined in black. Hindwings white with fine brown veining.

Key Identification Features:

• Mottled appearance of forewings
• White stigmata outlined with black
• Bright white hindwings

Sets:

Flight Period: Unknown in N. Ireland. Skinner gives April until early June as the normal flight period in Britain.

Status: The Irish distribution of this upland species extends from Sligo to Cork. The only N. Irish record is from Antrim. In Britain it has a northern distribution and confined to Scotland.

Ecology: A moorland species that apparently rests by day on rocks, old stone walls and fences. Adults are attracted to light and also to flowers. The larvae feed from July to September on Bog Myrtle Myrica gale, Heather Calluna vulgaris, birch Betula spp. willow Salix spp. and plantain Plantago spp. It overwinters as a pupa.

World Distribution: Throughout western Europe on moors and heaths from Spain to the Arctic Circle.