Adelidae

07.0017 Ochsenheimer's Long-horn Nemophora ochsenheimerella (Hübner, [1813])

Unknown status

Similar species: Unlike Nemophora degeerella and Adela croesella it has three metallic cross-bars in the outer area of the forewing rather than two.

Forewing: 6 to 7mm

Habitats: Coniferous woodland.

Habits: The first British record was a moth found indoors at Abbey Hulton on 14th October 2021. The moth is active during the day, but also comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds on Silver Fir where it spends its first winter in a needle that it has hollowed out. In the spring it feeds on the ground in a broad flattened case made from cut out leaf fragments, where it feeds on algae on dry branches and occasionally low plants. It overwinters a second time, then feeds up in the spring before it pupates in the case.