Description: Wingspan 32-38 mm. This species takes its name from the spectacle-shaped markings on the thorax which are visible when viewed from the front. Forewings pale grey, darker in the median area with silver sub basal and terminal patches and a small black apical streak. Antemedian and postmedian lines black; the former is convex the latter fades away towards the costa. Hindwings pale fuscous with a darker terminal shading. Early May to mid-August.

World Distribution: Eurasiatic; common and widespread throughout western Europe as far north as Fennoscandia.

Irish Distribution: Widely distributed across all counties including Rathlin Island.

Ecology: A common species found in a variety of habitats including woodland clearings, bogs, fens and mature gardens. Adults come frequently to light and flowers especially Red Valerian Centranthus ruber. The larvae feed from July to September on nettles Urtica spp. It overwinters as a pupa.

Key Identification Features:

• Colour of forewings when compared to the closely related
• Dark Spectacle
• Silver sub basal and terminal patches on forewings
• Black apical streak

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

iNaturalist: Abrostola triplasia at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.