Gymnoscelis rufifasciata (Haworth, 1809)

Description: Wingspan 15-19 mm. The forewing colour is quite variable in this species, ranging from light to dark reddish brown. The crosslines are quite distinct, with a number of black marks along the inner margin of the pale white sub-marginal line. There is also a darker band across the upper segments of the abdomen. Hindwings paler and heavily marked with darker crosslines. Second generation adults tend to be more richly marked than the first brood.

Key Identification Features:

• Black marks along the sub-marginal line at the costa
• Heavy crosslines on all wings
• Dark abdominal band

Sets:

Flight Period: Double-brooded flying between late April and June and again from mid-July to early September. Skinner gives April and May and again in July and August as the normal flight period in Britain.

Status: A common and variable species which is widely distributed in southern counties but apparntly scarcer further north.

Ecology: An attractive species found in a variety of habitats. Adults come to light frequently in small numbers. The larvae feed throughout the summer months until late autumn on a variety of trees and shrubs including Holly Ilex aquifolium, Gorse Ulex europaeus, Broom Cytisus scoparius, Traveller's Joy Clematis vitalba, Ragwort Senecio jacobaea and Heather Calluna vulgaris. It overwinters as a pupa.

World Distribution: Eurasiatic; widespread across central and southern Europe, the Mediterranean, North Africa and east to Asia Minor.

Bradley & Fletcher number: 1862 Agassiz number: 70.141

Additional information:

UK Moths account

Caterpillar: