Description: Wingspan 38-44 mm. Forewings are variable in colour, ranging from pale brown through to dark grey. The stigmata and crosslines are poorly defined. There are two small white dots on the distal half of the wing, giving the species its common name. Hindwings are pale whitish brown, with darker veining and a lunar discal spot. Not known in N. Ireland. Skinner gives late May and June as the normal flight period in Britain.

World Distribution: Throughout western Europe; mainly coastal further north.

Irish Distribution: Currently unknown. There have been no records of this species since 1978 when it was recorded at Murlough National Nature Reserve, Down. The only other records are from the Magilligan area dating from the 19th Century and in 1971. Since nothing is known about its habits and behaviour in N. Ireland, it is difficult to speculate about its current status.

Ecology: A rare coastal species that inhabits coastal dunes and heaths. Adults are attracted to light and hide by day under sandy overhangs and concealed among the marram grass. The larvae feed from July until September on orache Atriplex spp., Sea Bindweed Calystegia soldanella, Chickweed Stellaria media and Common Restharrow Ononis repens. It overwinters as a pupa.

Key Identification Features:

• White dots on distal half of forewings
• Lunar discal spot on hind wings

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

iNaturalist: Sideridis albicolon at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.