49.01 BF1009

Philedonides lunana

(Thunberg, 1784)

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Wingspan c.14 mm.

A species of moorland and heathland, this moth shows distinct sexual dimorphism. The males are relatively dull brown and have pectinate antennae, the females have more distinctive chestnut brown markings on a greyish-buff ground colour.

It occurs from the Midlands northwards into Scotland, and in Ireland. Flying from March to May, the males can be found on the wing on calm sunny days.

The larvae feed on a wide variety of moorland plants, including heather (Calluna), and bilberry (Vaccinium), spinning together leaves or flowers.