A sprig of Erica with a larva protruding from a flowerLarva
The wingspan is 13–18 mm. The terminal joint of palpi shorter than second. Forewings from pale fuscous- grey to dark fuscous, sometimes whitish-sprinkled; a blackish spot in disc at 1/4; stigmata blackish, often elongate, partly white margined, first discal beyond plical; distinct black terminal dots; a more or less marked dark tornal spot. Hindwings over 1, light grey. The larva is dull greenish; dorsal and subdorsal lines pale dull reddish; 3 and 4 with dark red subdorsal spots; head pale brown; 2 whitish-green, grey-speckled.[1][2][3][4]
The moths are on wing from April to July depending on the location.
^Meyrick, E., 1895 A Handbook of British Lepidoptera MacMillan, London pdf This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. Keys and description
^Langmaid, J. R., Palmer, S. M. & Young, M. R. [eds]. 2018 A Field Guide to the Smaller Moths of Great Britain and Ireland [3rd ed.]Reading, Berkshire. British Entomological and Natural History Society
