Gelechiidae

35.096 Smoky Groundling Chionodes fumatella (Douglas, 1850)

Notable B

Similar species:

Forewing: 6 to 7.5mm

Habitats: Coastal sand-dunes, chalk and heathland grassland, disused quarries and gardens.

Habits: The moth flies low over sand or grasses during the day. It comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds on the surface of Lesser Bird's-claw Beard-moss Barbula convoluta or White Feather Moss Brachythecium albicans using very little silk or it feeds under these mosses in sand-covered silk tubes. It pupates away from the feeding place in moss or sand in a tough, white cocoon.