Description: Wingspan 29-33mm. Adults are ochreous white or smoky grey towards the front edge of the forewings. There are two dark median cross lines continuous on both wings - sometimes these lines are faint and can be difficult to see on slightly worn specimens. Late May to early July.

Irish Distribution: Local, one old record from Rostrevor Down - the others can not be confirmed with certainty. The Shane's Castle record from the late 1980s is perhaps more reliable than the others based on the fact that an experienced recorder made the identification. The absence of specimens for any of the records makes it difficult to ascertain its true distribution.

Ecology: Unlike the Lesser Cream Wave this species favours woodland habitats. In view of its rarity it requires careful examination to distinguish it from the Lesser Cream Wave, before claiming its existence at any locality. This species is perhaps best looked for during the day by beating the foliage or branches of various trees and shrubs. The larval foodplant in the wild is not known with certainty. In captivity they will accept Dandelion Taraxacum officinale, dock Rumex spp. and Knotgrass Polygonum aviculare. It overwinters as a larva.

Key Identification Features:

• No black distal spot on forewing
• Two dark median cross lines on wings
• Genital examination is necessary to confirm identification of this species

Distribution Map from NBN: Scopula floslactata at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Scopula floslactata at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.