Gelechiidae

35.031 Common Zebra Moth Helcystogramma rufescens (Haworth, 1828)

Common

Similar species:

Forewing: 6.5 to 8.5mm

Habitats: Damp woodland, rough grassland, damp meadows, downland, embankments and verges.

Habits: The moth flies at dusk and comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva spins a leaf of the foodplant into an open ended roll, from where it feeds on Meadow-grasses, False Oat-grass, Cock's-foot, Tall Fescue, False Brome, Wood Small-reed, Tor-grass, millets and many other grasses. The larva feeding causes the tip of the grass blade to whiten. It pupates in a freshly spun rolled leaf.