Ligdia adustata (Denis & Schiff., 1775)

Description: Wingspan 25-30mm. Adults are white with a blue-grey, wavy band running across the forewing near the outer margin. The basal area of the forewing, head and thorax are also a dark blue-grey. Hindwings are white clouded with reddish brown.

Key Identification Features:

• Blue-grey wavy bands
• Dark basal area
• Pale hindwings with a broad light-coloured band near outer margin

Sets:

Flight Period: Adults have been taken in May, June and July.

Status: A rare species, widely distributed but very local. It was previously recorded from the Ballinderry area, Antrim in 1991. This moth was not reported again until 2001 when it was taken at Loughgall, Armagh, Rostrevor, Down and Crom, Fermanagh. There are old records from near Gilford and Drumman More Lough, Armagh; Portmore Lough and Glenarm, Antrim; Stewartstown and Cookstown, Tyrone and Enniskillen, Fermanagh.

Ecology: A rare species associated mainly with woodland rides and clearings. The foodplant Spindle Euonymus europaeus is local in its distribution in northern counties, which could account for its scarcity. Parts of south Down around Newcastle and towards Rostrevor where the foodplant is more abundant can be found to harbour small isolated populations if targeted at the appropriate time. The larvae can be found in June and July on Spindle.

World Distribution: Throughout Europe to Asia.

Bradley & Fletcher number: 1888 Agassiz number: 70.208

Additional information:

UK Moths account

Caterpillar: