Bupalus piniaria (Linnaeus, 1758)

Description: Wingspan 34-40mm. Adults from N. Ireland tend to be paler and more richly marked than their English counterparts. Males are generally light brown with white patches on all wings, although some yellow-coloured adults have been taken in some localities. There are also white markings on underside of the wings.

Key Identification Features:

• White patches on all wings
• Males have comb-like antennae
• Seen frequently around pines during the day

Sets:

Flight Period: From late May to mid-July.

Status: Widely distributed throughout all counties, but more commonly encountered in north Armagh at well-known sites such as, the Peatlands and the Argory. In Fermanagh it has been recorded recently from Monmurray, Eshywulligan and Garvary Wood. In northern counties its distribution is more sporadic, with records from the Umbra and Garry Bog.

Ecology: An attractive species associated with pine woodland; often mature trees in heaths and bogs are the most productive. Adult males are occasionally seen during the day in small numbers flying around the upper branches of pines and are occasionally disturbed from their resting places during by tapping the lower branches. The larvae can be found from July to September on scots pine Pinus sylvestris. It overwinters in the pupal stage.

World Distribution: Across northern and central Europe as far east as Siberia.

Bradley & Fletcher number: 1954 Agassiz number: 70.276

Additional information:

UK Moths account

Caterpillar: