Description: Wingspan 26-32mm. Adults are generally brown with white or cream speckled markings on both wings giving a latticed appearance from which it takes its name. Mid-May to early September.

World Distribution: Throughout Europe, eastern Siberia and Japan.

Irish Distribution: Widespread and commonly encountered throughout most counties. It is more evident in Fermanagh and Armagh where it is frequently seen on many of the bogs and heaths from late spring onwards.

Ecology: A small, distinctive moth found on bogs, heaths, and woodland clearings. Adults are frequently seen by day resting among heather and other low vegetation. It normally flies in sunshine but is also active at night and is attracted to light in small numbers. The larvae can be found in summer and early autumn on clovers Trifolium spp. and trefoils Lotus spp. It overwinters as a pupa.

Key Identification Features:

• Day-flying
• Latticed appearance to the wings
• Males have comb-like antennae

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

iNaturalist: Semiothisa clathrata at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.