Charissa obscurata (Denis & Schiff., 1775)

Description: Wingspan 32-39mm. Adult colouration usually reflects the habitat environment and can be quite variable with some dark and light forms found commonly in the same locality. Most individuals are brown or grey.

Key Identification Features:

• Different colour forms

Sets:

Flight Period: Mid-July to late September.

Status: This species has a coastal distribution in N. Ireland but in the south of Ireland it occurs frequently inland on heathland and rocky habitats. In Down it is regularly recorded from Murlough NNR, where it seems to be common on the heathland and dune slacks. It has also been taken at Helen's Bay and Grey Point in the early 1990s. Elsewhere, it seems to be sporadic and local in occurrence, especially along the north coast and absent from areas that one would expect to find it.

Ecology: A coastal species that comes to light in small numbers. In N. Ireland is seldom if ever encountered by day, although Skinner remarks that it can be found resting on bare sand and rocky ledges. The larvae can be found in September through to May of the following year on Heather Calluna vulgaris and Common Bird's-foot-trefoil Lotus corniculatus. It overwinters as a larva.

World Distribution: Throughout Europe and Asia Minor.

Bradley & Fletcher number: 1964 Agassiz number: 70.287

Additional information:

UK Moths account

Caterpillar: