Description: Wingspan 30-35mm. Early May right through to the beginning of September.

World Distribution: Across Europe to Eastern Siberia.

Irish Distribution: Widely distributed throughout all counties, but more common in Down and Fermanagh. North of Lough Neagh its distribution is apparently more localised. Sites in the north include Curran Bog, the Umbra and Magilligan, Londonderry and Glenarriff, Ballylesson Bog and Maghralough, Antrim.

Ecology: A small species associated with damp woodland, fens and bogs where willows are common. Adults become active at dusk onwards and appear frequently at light but not abundantly. Like many other 'waves' it is easily disturbed during the day from the foliage of willows and other bushes. The larvae can be found from June to September feeding on willow Salix spp. It overwinters in the pupal stage.

Key Identification Features:

• Ochreous grey wings
• Outer cross-line on forewing curved in towards the costa

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

iNaturalist: Cabera exanthemata at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.