Cosmopterigidae

34.002 Scarce Violet Beauty Pancalia schwarzella (Fabricius, 1798)

pRDB2

Similar species:

Forewing: 5 to 7.5mm

Habitats: Downland, dry grassland, short-turfed mountain slopes.

Habits: The moth flies in sunshine and is apparently attracted to yellow flowers including dandelions, hawkweeds and Bird's-foot Trefoil.

Foodplant: The larva feeds on Hairy Violet, Heath Dog Violet, Common Dog Violet or occasionally Wild Pansy and perhaps other violets. It feeds on the underside of the lower leaves producing brownish windows while living in a silk tube leading into the soil or moss. It pupates under the plant in a cocoon of silk and plant debris.