Description: Wingspan 29-34mm. The male is slightly smaller than the female. Forewings pale creamy white, with a yellow-coloured costal margin. There is a small black dot at the costal edge and another on the inner margin of the forewing. Hindwings pale brownish grey. Skinner gives mid-June until the beginning of August as the main flight period.

World Distribution: Throughout Europe except the extreme north as far east as Asia.

Irish Distribution: Recorded only once in Ireland from a mature garden in Belfast in 1991. In view of its main distribution on the mainland, which is mainly southern, it seems likely that this record refers to a stray that may have found its way here from the mainland or the Isle of Man. It is, however, not generally known as a migrant species.

Ecology: A lichen-feeding species normally found on heathland and open woodland. Adults become active from dusk onwards and are attracted to light. Skinner states that it hides by day among heather and small bushes and can be easily flushed. The larvae feed on lichens and algae. It overwinters as a larva.

Key Identification Features:

• Wings held tightly around body (typical footman posture).
• Pale creamy white forewings
• Small black dots at the costa and inner margin of forewing.
• Dark brownish hindwings.

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

iNaturalist: Cybosia mesomella at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.