Gelechiidae

35.083 Highland Groundling Xystophora pulveratella (Herrich-Schäffer, 1855)

pRDB2

Similar species:

Forewing: 5 to 5.5mm

Habitats: In Scotland: part sheltered sunny slopes, herb rich grassland, grassy heathland, low altitude Highland valley slopes.

Habits: The moth rests on the foodplants during the day and flies low at dusk.

Foodplant: The larva feeds in the spun leaves of Common Bird's-foot Trefoil, Bitter Vetch or Red Clover. The full-fed larva overwinters in a dense white cocoon in a rolled leaf. On the European mainland it has also been recorded from Meadow Vetchling, Sainfoin, Tufted Vetch, Bur Medick and Crown Vetch.