71.019 BF2012

White Prominent Leucodonta bicoloria

([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

---

Wingspan 38-42 mm.

This remarkable species was rediscovered in Co. Kerry, south-west Ireland in June 2008. Prior to that, despite many attempts, it had remained undiscovered for 70 years since its last sighting in 1938, and was thought to be extinct in these islands.

In the late 19th century, a few were also recorded outside of Ireland: several from a single locality in Staffordshire, and one was captured in Devon.

Distributed throughout the Palaearctic region, occupying mature forest, the adults fly between early June and late July.

The larvae feed predominantly on birch (Betula).