73.044 BF2288

Sweet Gale Moth Acronicta cinerea

(Hufnagel, 1766)

Wingspan 32-40 mm.

Occurring locally on moorland in northern and central Scotland and in western Ireland, the adults can be found in the daytime resting on boulders and fenceposts.

The female is slightly larger than the male and has darker hindwings.

The flight period is from May to June, but in Ireland there is a second brood in July and August. The larvae feed on moorland plants such as heather (Calluna vulgaris) and bog-myrtle (Myrica gale).