Euphyia unangulata (Haworth, 1809)

Description: Wingspan 27-30mm. Adults have a well-defined brownish central band on the forewing. This has a narrow white outer edge which is sharply angled. There is also a narow white line in the basal area of the forewings. There are 2 dark discal spots in the central area of the band towards the costa.

Key Identification Features:

• Central band with a distinctly angled outer edge
• White stripe along outer edge of band
• Wavy white line near outer marginal edge of forewings

Sets:

Flight Period: Early June to late August.

Status: Widespread in southern counties especially in the east around north Armagh and parts of Down. It has also been taken at a several well-trapped localities in Fermanagh during the 1990s. There are no recent records for Tyrone, although it was previously recorded from Stewartstown and the Cookstown area.

Ecology: A fairly distinctive species associated with woodland, fens and mature hedgerows. Adults are attracted to light in small numbers. The larvae have been reared in captivity on chickweed and stitchwort Stellaria spp. It overwinters as a pupa.

World Distribution: Europe and North America. Note on the november and autumnal moths Epirrita spp. The four N. Ireland species belonging to the genus Epirrita are so alike in appearance that identification of some specimens can be difficult if not impossible. It is therefore recommended that a specimen should be retained for confirmation by genital examination. This is important, especially when recording in new areas, where no reliable determinations have been authenticated.

Bradley & Fletcher number: 1794 Agassiz number: 70.065

Additional information:

UK Moths account

Caterpillar: