Lithophane ornitopus (Dadd, 1911)

Description: Wingspan 34-42 mm. Forewings whitish grey, with a series of small irregular darker patches across the wing. There is a small black basal streak which is forked at the end. The antemedian and postmedian lines are unclear. Hindwings fuscous, with darker veining and a small discal spot.

Key Identification Features:

• Light grey forewings
• Black forked basal streak
• Discal spot on hindwings

Sets:

Flight Period: Mid-September to late October and again after hibernation from mid-February to late early June.

Status: Confined mainly to woodland habitats in and around the Lough Neagh basin with the exception of Crom Estate in Fermanagh where it has been taken frequently in recent years. It's late flight period may account for some under recording in other suitable woodland habitats where oaks Quercus spp. are common.

Ecology: An autumnal species favouring deciduous woodland habitats with mature oaks Quercus spp. Adults are attracted to light, but are seldom found in any numbers. The adults are more commonly encountered in early spring after hibernation. In the autumn they have been noted feeding at Ivy Hedera helix blossom, berries and rotting fruit. They rest by day on the trunks of trees and old fence posts. The larvae feed from the end of April until the beginning of June on oak Quercus spp. It hibernates as an adult during the winter months.

World Distribution: Widespread throughout western Europe to the Netherlands.

Bradley & Fletcher number: 2237 Agassiz number: 73.202

Additional information:

UK Moths account

Caterpillar: