Description: Wingspan 31-37mm. Adults have reddish brown forewings with two darker cross-lines edged with white and a small discal spot. The hindwings are pale whitish brown. From the end of April to late June.

World Distribution: Throughout Europe as far as Japan.

Irish Distribution: Widely distributed in southern counties but more sporadic further north. It has been recorded from Rathlin Island, Antrim.

Ecology: A species generally associated with heaths, bogs and damp woodland, where Bracken Pteridium aquilinum is plentiful. Adults are most often seen in moderate numbers at light from dusk onwards, but are occasionally encountered during the day by disturbing the ground vegetation (particularly Bracken). The larvae can be found from July to September on Bracken. It overwinters as a pupa.

Key Identification Features:

• Darker cross-lines edged with white
• Small discal spot
• Forewings pointed at the apex

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

iNaturalist: Petrophora chlorosata at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.