Description: Wingspan 38-42mm. From early October to mid-November.

World Distribution: Similar to the November moth.

Irish Distribution: Apparently less common than the November Moth E. dilutata, with scattered populations mainly in Down, where specimens have been verified. Reliably recorded from Murlough NNR, Castlewellan and Rostrevor NNR, Down. The true distribution of this species is still unclear and the distribution map merely reflects recording effort.

Ecology: Like the November Moth this is mainly found in woodland and heaths. Adults are attracted to light in reasonable numbers. The larvae can be found from April until June on a variety of trees including maple Acer spp., Blackthorn Prunus spinosa, oak Quercus spp., Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna, Beech Fagus sylvatica and Hazel Corylus avellana. It overwinters as an egg.

Key Identification Features:

• Difficult to identify with certainty; requires genital examination

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

iNaturalist: Epirrita christyi at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.