Description: Wingspan 26-34 mm. Adult colouration can show some variation within individual populations. Forewings are normally reddish brown with white stigmata and crosslines, but some individuals can have a mottled greyish appearance. There are small pale streaks near the outer margin of the forewing. Hindwings whitish brown with darker veining. Mid-May to early September.

World Distribution: Throughout Europe reaching the Arctic Circle and south to northern Spain.

Irish Distribution: A common and widespread species throughout N. Ireland which has been recorded on Rathlin Island.

Ecology: A familiar species of upland and lowland heaths and bogs. Adults appear frequently at light in moderate numbers and also visit flowers, particularly Heather Calluna vulgaris. Although mainly nocturnal, it can occasionally be found in late afternoon. The larvae feed from August to May of the following year on Heather and Bell Heather Erica cinerea. It overwinters as a larva.

Key Identification Features:

• Size
• White marks on forewings which are normally consistent
• Small white stigmata
• Whitish brown hindwings

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

iNaturalist: Lycophotia porphyrea at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.