Description: Wingspan 32-42 mm. Forewings are greyish brown with weakly defined stigmata. The subterminal line is irregular with two small dark wedged-shaped marks near the central area. Hindwings greyish brown with a small discal spot and a paler fringe. Unknown in N. Ireland. Skinner gives late June until early August as the normal flight period in Britain.

Irish Distribution: Rare; last recorded in Belfast at the beginning of the 1990s but not seen since. It was originally recorded by the Belfast Naturalists Field Club from the Glenarm area of Antrim in 1874 and doubtfully from Wicklow in the 19th century and more recently Dublin.

Ecology: A species mainly associated with damp woodland, fens and marshy areas. Adults are attracted to light and are active from dusk onwards. The larvae feed from April until June on willow Salix spp., occasionally poplar Populus spp. and willow Salix spp. It overwinters as an egg.

Key Identification Features:

• Two small wedged-shaped marks on the subterminal line
• Dark hindwings with a small discal spot and paler fringe

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

iNaturalist: Parastichtis ypsillon at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.