Eriothrix rufomaculatus
Eriothrix rufomaculatus is a very regular visitors of flowers in gardens and parks. The main reason probably is that the larvae are parasitic to Grass Moths and Veneers. The larvae of these Pyralid Moths live in the stems of grasses, also in cultivated grass species. The species has a more elongated body than some similar ones and the orange patches are darker in colour. These patches on the side of the body are seperated by a black line. But the species is very varaible. Some specimens are almost entirely orange, while other show very small orange patches only.
Eriothrix rufomaculatus measures 5 to 10 millimeters only. It is on the wing from the beginning of June to the end of September in multiple generations. A common species all over Europe, including Ireland.
