62.024 BF1445

Rhodophaea formosa

(Haworth, 1811)

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Wingspan 20-23mm.

An attractive red, grey and black species, which is rather secretive in habits. It is not often encountered by day but can be attracted to light at night.

The larvae feed in a slight web on the leaves of elm (Ulmus), especially those in hedgerows.

The adults are on the wing from June until August, and the species is locally distributed in the southernmost counties of England.