Gelechiidae

35.048 Sandhill Moss-moth Bryotropha umbrosella (Zeller, 1839)

Notable B

Similar species:

Forewing: 4.5 to 5.5mm

Habitats: Coastal sand-dunes and occasionally sandy areas inland.

Habits: The moth is easily disturbed in sunshine. It visits Ragwort and Yarrow flowers, flies from dusk and comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds from a transparent open ended silk tube speckled with grains of sand and moss debris. It is located amongst the moss on the ground. The larvas presence may be detected by the piles of frass on the moss at one end of the tube. Redshank Moss Ceratodon purpureus is thought to be the main foodplant. It has also been observed feeding on an unidentified fescue grass. The larva pupates within a cocoon spun using moss.