Orthosia populeti (Fabricius, 1781)

Description: Wingspan 34-40 mm.

Sets:

Flight Period: Throughout March.

Status: Scarce and only trapped in recent times at the Crom estate, Fermanagh. It has been recorded here on several occasions since 1997. It seems probable that this species may be found more widely in Fermanagh if similar localities were targeted at the appropriate time. The only other record outside Fermanagh is from Tollymore Forest, Down back in the early 1970s.

Ecology: An early spring species associated mainly with well-established poplar Populus spp. plantations. Adults appear at light in small numbers and will also visit willow Salix spp. blossom. The larvae feed during May and June on poplar and Aspen Populus tremula. It overwinters as a pupa.

World Distribution: Western Europe from Scandinavia to Portugal.

Bradley & Fletcher number: 2185 Agassiz number: 73.246

Additional information:

UK Moths account

Caterpillar: