22.003 Prays ruficeps Copyright Martin Evans
22.003 Prays ruficeps & Prays fraxinella dark form Copyright Martin Evans
Distribution map Copyright Martin Evans
Life stages table Copyright Martin Evans 22.003 Prays ruficeps Copyright Martin Evans

Praydidae

22.003 Cryptic Ash Bud Moth Prays ruficeps (Heinemann, 1854)

Common?

Similar species: The dark form of Prays fraxinella

Forewing: 6 to 7.5mm

Habitats: Deciduous woodland, hedgerows with trees, parks and wherever else that Ash is found.

Habits: The moth comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva mines a short gallery up a fruit stalk of an Ash where the larva eventually feeds in the seeds. The moths are thought to emerge slightly earlier than Prays fraxinella.