Gelechiidae

35.041 Coast Moss-moth Bryotropha desertella (Douglas, 1850)

Notable B

Similar species: Both males and females of this moth are variable in colour and are similar to other Bryotropha. For a positive identification check the genitalia.

Forewing: 5 to 7mm

Habitats: Sparsely vegetated coastal sand-dunes and occasionally similar areas inland.

Habits: The moth can be disturbed from mossy vegetation during the day. It comes to light, the males soon after dark.

Foodplant: The larva feeds from a sand peppered upright silk gallery within a moss. It is known to feed on Springy Turf-moss Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Sand-hill Screw-moss Syntrichia ruralis ruraliformis and Yellow Feather-moss Homalothecium lutescens. It pupates in a sand covered cocoon.