Gelechiidae

35.128 Narrow Groundling Caryocolum alsinella (Zeller, 1868)

Notable A

Similar species:

Forewing: 3.5 to 5.5mm

Habitats: Coastal sandy areas, including machair, but inland on the Burren in Ireland.

Habits: The moth is occasionally disturbed during the day. It comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds on Little Mouse-ear or sometimes Common Mouse-ear (where it grows with Little Mouse-ear). It is locally common on Sea Mouse-ear and on the Burren, Co. Clare it feeds on Spring Sandwort. The larva at first mines a leaf, but later spins the flower-head and feeds on the flowers and seeds. It pupates in a small, tough, sand-covered cocoon on the ground. On the European mainland it is recorded on Field Mouse-ear and Mountain Sandwort.