Description: Wingspan 40-48 mm. Forewings have a satiny sheen when freshly emerged. The colour varies from light to dark reddish brown. Antemedian and post median lines are darker than the base colour. The white reniform stigmata appear as a small white or orange dot. The subterminal line is thin and irregular. Hindwings are dark fuscous brown with a pale fringe and dark veining. Late September to early December and again after hibernation from late February to mid-April.

World Distribution: Common across Europe to central Scandinavia and occasionally as far north as Iceland.

Irish Distribution: Widespread throughout Down, where it has been recorded from a number of well-trapped sites in coastal localities. It is much scarcer in the north and west and unknown north of Lough Neagh. Recorded once from Crom Estate in Fermanagh.

Ecology: An Autumnal species found in woodland (especially old estates) and heathland. Adults come to light in very small numbers but they also visit Ivy Hedera helix blossom and willow Salix spp. catkins and occasionally overripe berries. Adults emerge in early autumn and both sexes overwinter as adults, appearing briefly for a while during mild winter nights. The larvae feed during May and June on oak Quercus spp., birch Betula spp., willow Salix spp.

Key Identification Features:

• Flight period
• Small white or orange spot on forewings
• Darker antemedian and post median lines
• Dark fuscous hindwings

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

iNaturalist: Eupsilia transversa at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.