Gelechiidae

35.046 Grizzled Moss-moth Bryotropha senectella (Zeller, 1839)

Local

Similar species:

Forewing: 4.5 to 6mm

Habitats: Herb rich coastal sand-dunes and dune slacks.

Habits: The moth can be swept from vegetation on sunny days and warm evenings. It comes to the flowers of Ragwort, Hogweed or Ox-eye Daisy in the evening. It flies at dusk and later comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva lives in a flimsy, debris free, narrow silk gallery on a moss on walls, on the ground or on low rocks. It is known to feed on Yellow Feather-moss Homalothecium lutescens and Bryum spp. It pupates within a cocoon spun using moss.