Gelechiidae

35.060 Dark Seedhead Moth Apodia martinii Petry, 1911

Local

Similar species:

Forewing: 4.5 to 5.5mm

Habitats: Dry grassland, downland, embankments, quarries, damp meadows, river-banks, dune slacks and salt-marsh margins.

Habits: The moth often sits on a flower of the foodplant. It flies from dusk and later comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds on the seeds of Common Fleabane, Ploughman's-spikenard, Sea Aster or Golden Samphire. The larva spins the seeds into a tube from where it feeds. It overwinters in the seed-head and pupates there in the spring in a cocoon made of silk, frass and plant debris. On the European mainland it has also been recorded from Irish Fleabane and Hairy Fleabane.