70.123 BF1790

The Tissue Triphosa dubitata

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Wingspan 38-48 mm.

This moth has a slightly glossy appearance to the upperside, and often has a purplish tinge. It is locally distributed over the southern half of Britain, becoming rarer further north.

The preferred habitats are woodland, heathland, chalk and limestone areas, and open bushy places.

The adults fly in August and September, overwintering in this stage, reappearing in April and May. The larvae live on buckthorn (Rhamnus catharticus) and alder buckthorn (Frangula alnus).