Gelechiidae

35.123 Bittersweet Moth Scrobipalpa costella (Humphreys & Westwood, 1845)

Common

Similar species:

Forewing: 5.5 to 6.5mm

Habitats: Hedgerows, gardens and coastal shingle.

Habits: The moth comes to light and occasionally sugar.

Foodplant: The young larva mines from the midrib of a leaf of Bittersweet or Deadly Nightshade and there is confirmation of it once feeding on Aubergine. It produces brown blotch mines between two side veins. Some of the larger blotches become inflated and eventually extend to the margin of the leaf. The larva may later bore into the stem or a berry or feed between spun leaves. It pupates between spun leaves or leaves the foodplant to pupate. It occasionally overwinters as a full-fed larva and pupates in the spring.