Description: Wingspan 28-32 mm. Adults are variable in colour. The forewings vary from light greyish brown to reddish brown usually with darker stigmata and small dark coloured dots towards the costa. The apex is well rounded. The subterminal line is normally a series of small pale-coloured dots. Hindwings are whitish brown with darker veining. Early March to the beginning of May.

World Distribution: Throughout Europe as far north as Sweden and south to Portugal.

Irish Distribution: Common and recorded from all counties. Most frequently encountered in sites around the Lough Neagh basin although this may be because of frequent trapping in the early part of the year. Apparently absent from most of the north and west, which might be due to its early flight period and reduced trapping at this time of the year.

Ecology: An early spring species found mainly in woodland and occasionally suburban gardens. Adults come frequently to light and will also feed at willow Salix spp. catkins.

Key Identification Features:

• Small dark-coloured dots near the costa
• Well-rounded forewings
• Broken subterminal line
• Darker hindwings with pronounced veining

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

iNaturalist: Orthosia cruda at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.