Trichiura crataegi (Linnaeus, 1758)

Description: Wingspan 33-40mm. Adult males (which can be variable) have greyish forewings with a distinctive central dark greyish band. Females are slightly larger and have an overall browner colouration. The hindwings are plain greyish brown with a diffused central band.

Sets:

Flight Period: Mid- August to the end of September.

Status: Scarce and local, reported from a few localities in west Fermanagh, mainly Correl Glen, (where it was first recorded in 1990), Gortahole, Lough Navar and Monawilkin.

Ecology: An elusive species found mainly in open woodland, hedgerows and heathland. Adults are attracted to light, but appear only in small numbers. Despite increased fieldwork in west Fermanagh over the last few years no other colonies have been detected. However it may exist in other parts of the county in small isolated populations that still await discovery. The larvae feed on birch, blackthorn, and heather. It overwinters as an egg.

Bradley & Fletcher number: 1632 Agassiz number: 66.002

Additional information:

UK Moths account

Caterpillar: