Gelechiidae

35.132 Stitchwort Groundling Caryocolum fraternella (Douglas, 1851)

Local

Similar species:

Forewing: 4.5 to 6mm

Habitats: Woodland rides and clearings, scrub margins, hedgerow verges, rough meadows, heathland, marshes and coastal sand-dunes.

Habits: The moth comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva bores into the shoots of Bog Stitchwort, Lesser Stitchwort, Common Mouse-ear or Field Mouse-ear and occasionally Greater Stitchwort or Wood Stitchwort. When the gall-like distorted shoot has been excavated it moves on to another. It makes white blotches on the leaves. It pupates in a flimsy cocoon in the leaf litter.