Gelechiidae

35.129 Campion Groundling Caryocolum viscariella (Stainton, 1855)

Notable B

Similar species:

Forewing: 5 to 6.5mm

Habitats: Hedgerow verges and woodland clearings, with a possible preference for shaded foodplants.

Habits: The moth can be swept during the day. It comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds on Red Campion, White Campion and Sticky Catchfly. The larva spins the outer leaves of young shoots and then feeds inside, producing lots of black frass in the shoot. It frequently follows this by boring into the main stem which becomes swollen. It pupates in a flimsy cocoon in the leaf litter. On the European mainland it has also been recorded feeding on Bog Stitchwort and Berry Catchfly.