Oecophoridae

28.023 Yellow-striped Bark Moth Harpella forficella (Scopoli, 1763)

Adventive

Similar species:

Forewing: 9.5 to 13.5mm

Habitats: Deciduous woodland.

Habits: The moth flies at dawn, in the afternoon and in the early evening. It later comes to light.

Foodplant: The early stages have not been recorded in Britain. On the European mainland the larva feeds under bark on the dead wood of oak, ash, birch and other trees. It has also been recorded feeding on Cramp Balls fungus Daldinia concentrica. It may take two years to complete its lifecycle.