Trichopteryx carpinata (Borkhausen, 1794)

Description: Wingspan 30-34mm. Adults are usually whitish grey with darker cross-lines, which vary in intensity; the darker patches more evident along the costa. Hindwings pale grey with narrow dark line on outer edge.

Similar Species: It is similar in appearance to the Mottled Grey Colostigia mulistrigaria whose flight period overlaps with this species.

Key Identification Features:

• Greyish coloured cross-lines
• Broken dark line around the outer margin of forewings

Sets:

Flight Period: Mid-March to early May.

Status: Widely distributed in southern counties, especially in parts of east Tyrone and Fermanagh, but apparently more local elsewhere. Recorded for the first time in 1991 at the Argory and subsequently Annagarriff Wood NNR in Peatlands Park, Armagh. Since then its has been taken at many other localities. It seems to have been overlooked in many well-recorded sites. However, increased trapping during the 1990s (especially during the early part of the year) has been a major factor in its discovery at many other localities.

Ecology: A species mainly associated with heaths and bogs, especially those with adjoining birch scrub. Adults are attracted to light in reasonable numbers. The larvae can be found in June and July on Honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum, willow Salix spp., birch Betula spp and Alder Alnus glutinosa. It overwinters as a pupa.

World Distribution: Across Europe to eastern Siberia.

Bradley & Fletcher number: 1881 Agassiz number: 70.202

Additional information:

UK Moths account

Caterpillar: