Description: Wingspan 46-58 mm. A large variable species both in colour and markings. Most adults appear marbled, grey, brown and white. Forewings colour can vary from ochreous white through to dark brown. The stigmata are outlined in black and well defined on most individuals. Hindwings are pale fuscous with darker veining and a small discal spot. Mid June to mid August.

World Distribution: Throughout western Europe.

Irish Distribution: Widely distributed but local in all counties.

Ecology: A fairly common species found mainly in wooded habitats. Adults come frequently to light and also visit the flowers especially campion Silene spp. They rest by day concealed among ground vegetation, on tree trunks or fence posts. The larvae feed from August to May on birch Betula spp., willow Salix spp., Honeysuckle Lonicera pericylmenum, Bramble Rubus fruticosus and Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna. It overwinters as a larva.

Key Identification Features:

• Large size
• Marbled appearance
• Stigmata outlined in black
• Small discal spot on hindwings

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

iNaturalist: Polia nebulosa at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.