Description: Wingspan 53-59 mm. Forewings appear streaked and greyer than the Chamomile Shark. The apex of the wing is also arched and pointed. The antemedian and postmedian lines are usually indistinct. There is a small black broken line at the outer margin of the forewing. Hindwings are pale fuscous with darker veining, a small discal spot and white fringe. Females are darker than males. End of May to mid-August.

World Distribution: Throughout western Europe from Spain to southern Scandinavia.

Irish Distribution: Widespread in scattered localities throughout the south east but sporadic elsewhere, with only a few records north of Lough Neagh at Glenarriff Glen, Portrush and Rathlin Island, Antrim. In the west it has been taken recently at Crom Estate, Fermanagh.

Ecology: A species mainly associated with waste ground, wetland areas and coastal grasslands. Adults come frequently to light and are also attracted to the flowers of Red Valerian Centranthus ruber, campions Silene spp., and sweet william. It rests by day on the trunks of trees and occasionally fence posts. Overwinters as a pupa.

Key Identification Features:

• Shape and resting posture; wings tightly folded around the body
• Arched forewing near the apex
• Small black broken line at the outer margin of the forewing

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

iNaturalist: Cucullia umbratica at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.