Description: Wingspan 23-29 mm. Forewing colour ranges from pale straw to reddish brown. There is a small darker stripe that extends from the basal area of the forewing to the termen. Antemedian and postmedian lines are inconspicuous. Hindwings vary from pale straw to light fuscous in the redder individuals, becoming lighter towards the basal area. Mid-July to early October.

World Distribution: Eurasiatic; widespread Europe in suitable habitat, ranging from northern Spain, through Portugal as far north as Finland.

Irish Distribution: Widespread and generally common across all counties including Rathlin Island, Antrim.

Ecology: A small moth found commonly in wetland habitats including damp woodland, fens and other marshy areas. Adults come to light in small numbers but do not visit flowers. It overwinters as an egg.

Key Identification Features:

• Small size
• Small fine dark stripe running from the base to the termen of the forewing
• Pale hindwings

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

iNaturalist: Photedes pygmina at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.