Roseate Marble

The wingspan is 15–19 mm. The basic color of the forewings is rosy or purplish (hence the Latin species name rosaceana, meaning pinkish) when the moth is freshly emerged, but it turns quickly to a dull buff tinge or a rufous coloration, with a lightly reticulated (net-like) pattern. Julius von Kennel provides a full description. These bivoltine moths fly during the afternoon and evening from May to July and in August and September. The caterpillars feed in April and May mainly on the rootstock of sow thistles (Sonchus species) and common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), but also on various other plants (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum, Artemisia vulgaris, Plantago, Achillea, etc.). They have also been reported to be myrmecophilous.

This species can be found in most of Europe. It prefers rough ground, grassland and edges of woodlands.