Description: Wingspan 32-39mm. Skinner gives the flight period as July and August.

World Distribution: Throughout Europe to eastern Siberia.

Irish Distribution: This was reported from Magilligan, Londonderry by Curzon in the late 19th century. Baynes describes it as being scarce and local, with records from counties Kerry, Galway, Dublin, Wicklow and more recently the Burren, Clare. Specimens from the Burren are described as a distinct subspecies burrenensis which differs from the nominated subspecies on account of its darker colour and markings on the hindwing. There appears to be no voucher specimen to substantiate the Magilligan record nor any recent records. Based on its current status and habitat requirements in southern Ireland and Britain, the validity of the record is in doubt. Misidentification is likely since this species closely resembles the Vestal R. sacraria, especially when worn.

Ecology: Becomes active at dusk, but seen more frequently by day if looked for in the appropriate place. The larvae can be found from September through to June of the following year on wild thyme Thymus polytrichus and cinquefoils Potentilla spp. It overwinters as a larva.

Key Identification Features:

• Oblique stripe on forewings and small discal spot
• Pale yellowish white hindwings

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

iNaturalist: Aspitates gilvaria at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.