Gelechiidae

35.017 Heather Grey Neofaculta ericetella (Geyer, [1832])

Common

Similar species:

Forewing: 6 to 8.5mm

Habitats: Heathland.

Habits: The moth is easily disturbed in the day. It comes to light.

Foodplant: The early instar larva has been found in the spun flower-heads of heather, Cross-leaved Heath or Bell Heather and then later feeding in the spun shoots of these foodplants. It is also recorded living in a spinning at the base of Purple Moor-grass or similar grass species, where it emerges to feed at night on the leaves and flowers of Heather and its other foodplants. The full-fed larva constructs a strong white cocoon between grass blades or occasionally in spun heather shoots or in moss.