Description: Wingspan 44-48 mm. An attractive moth with deeply scalloped forewings resembling a withered leaf when at rest. Forewings light brown with a light orange coloured median patch. Antemedian and post median lines pale a clearly defined. There is also a small sub costal streak and a tiny white spot in the central area of the forewing. Hindwings similar in colour to the forewing, paler in the basal area. July to October and again after hibernation from mid-April to late June.

World Distribution: Eurasiatic; common throughout western Europe as far north as the Arctic Circle.

Irish Distribution: Common and widespread in southern counties, scarcer further north.

Ecology: Found mainly in woodland and marshy areas. Adults hibernate during the winter months and reappear in early spring. Hibernation sites include old sheds, barns and outhouses. Individuals are more frequently encountered at light after hibernation which accounts for the vast majority of records. The larvae feed from June to August on willow Salix spp., poplar Populus spp. and Rowan Sorbus aucuparia. It overwinters as an adult.

Key Identification Features:

• Resting posture
• Scalloped forewings and orange median patch
• Small with spot in central area of forewings

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

iNaturalist: Scoliopteryx libatrix at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.