Gelechiidae

35.039 Satin Moss-moth Bryotropha politella (Stainton, 1851)

Local

Similar species:

Forewing: M 5.5 to 7.5mm, F 6 to 7mm

Habitats: Dry unimproved grassland (both acid and calcareous), coastal heathland, steep rocky slopes.

Habits: The moth can be easily disturbed during warm evenings. It flies in the early morning and comes to light at night.

Foodplant: The larva feeds from a sparse silk tube on mosses amongst grass. It is associated with Springy Turf-moss Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, an unidentified meadow-grass and on one occasion an unidentified Schistidium sp. of moss. The larva pupates in a dense white cocoon in the moss.