Erebidae

72.053 Fan-foot Herminia tarsipennalis Treitschke, 1835

Common

Similar species: Small Fan-foot Herminia grisealis is smaller (11 to 13mm), has an outer cross-line that curves into the apex of the forewing and a darker and almost straight inner cross-line. Shaded Fan-foot Herminia tarsicrinalis is slightly smaller (12 to 14mm) with a diffuse shaded bar across the forewing. Jubilee Fan-foot Zanclognatha lunalis is a slightly larger (14 to 17mm) immigrant moth with a bolder crescent mark in the forewing and a slightly scalloped central cross-line.

Forewing: 13 to 16mm

Habitats: Deciduous woodland, dense scrub, hedgerows and gardens.

Habits: The moth is easily disturbed in the day. It flies from dusk and comes to light and sugar.

Foodplant: The withered leaves of oaks, Beech and Bramble on damaged branches or branches on the ground. The full-fed larva overwinters in the leaf litter where it pupates in the spring.