Description: Wingspan 32-40 mm. Forewings are dark brown with a series of small white dots along the costa. Stigmata are not clearly defined. The antemedian line is darker than ground colour and running obliquely from the costa. The postmedian line is fine and darker than ground colour. The subterminal line is irregular, dark and clearly defined. Hindwings yellowish brown, with darker veining and a small discal spot. End of May to late July.

World Distribution: Widespread and common throughout most of western Europe as far north as Fennoscandia.

Irish Distribution: Widespread in Down and Armagh but local in the west and north.

Ecology: An early summer species recorded in woodland to mature suburban gardens. Adults are attracted to light and also flowers. The larvae are nocturnal feeding from August to May on a variety of herbaceous plants. It overwinters as a larva.

Key Identification Features:

• Small white dots along the costal margin of forewing
• Dark antemedian and post median lines
• Yellow-brown hindwings with small discal spot

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

iNaturalist: Rusina ferruginea at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.