Gelechiidae

35.037 Marjoram Case-bearer Thiotricha subocellea (Stephens, 1834)

Notable B

Similar species:

Forewing: 5 to 5.5mm

Habitats: Downland, old quarries, coastal sandy grassland, marshes, fens, water margins and other wetland sites.

Habits: The moth can be swept from the foodplant during the day. It flies from dusk and later comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds on the seeds of Wild Marjoram or occasionally on Water Mint or Wild Thyme from a portable case made of empty calyxes, which are stacked as the larva grows. On the European mainland it has also been recorded from Calamint and Winter Savory. The larva pupates in its case attached to a stem or in the leaf litter.