Gelechiidae

35.081 Hypericum Neb Oxypteryx atrella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

Local

Similar species:

Forewing: 5 to 6mm

Habitats: Dry grassland, downland, rough pasture, open woodland, verges and river-banks.

Habits: The moth flies in the early evening and comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds in the terminal leaves and then mines the stem of Perforate St John's-wort or Hairy St John's-wort. This causes the shoots to droop slightly and wilt. It later feeds in a web on the underside of a leaf, where it uses part of the leaf to make a case in which it pupates after dropping to the ground. On the European mainland it has also been recorded from Imperforate St John's-wort.