Description: Wingspan 18-24 mm. Forewings dark brown and rather pointed at the apex. There are a series of tiny dark marks along the costa, which are not always apparent especially in worn specimens. The discal spot is small and not always clearly defined. The hindwings are paler with a darker suffusion along the outer margin. Mid-May to early July. Skinner gives May to mid-June as the normal flight period in Britain.

Irish Distribution: A rare species recorded for the first time in N. Ireland in 1990 at Loughgall, Armagh. Since then it has been recorded from Ballinderry, Antrim in 1991, the Argory and Lislasly 1998, Aughanlig in 1998 and 1999 and Crom Estate in 2000, which is the first record for Fermanagh.

Ecology: A rare woodland species that appears very sparingly at light. From the records received to date it would be difficult to ascertain its current distribution at this time, since the vast majority come from traps in mature gardens and other related habitats. The larva feed during June and July on Ash Fraxinus excelsior. It overwinters as a pupa.

Key Identification Features:

• Apex of forewings pointed
• Dark overall appearance
• Dark-coloured marks along the costa

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

iNaturalist: Eupithecia fraxinata at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.