Momphidae

40.005 Hourglass Mompha Mompha divisella Herrich-Schäffer, 1854

Notable A

Similar species:

Forewing: 5 to 6mm

Habitats: Damp woodland, gardens and wasteground as well as more open areas.

Habits: The moth flies on warm afternoons and comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva mines a stem of Broad-leaved Willowherb, Spear-leaved Willowherb, Marsh Willowherb, Hoary Willowherb or Great Willowherb. It causes a pea-sized gall at a node, which is hollowed out as the larva consumes the pith. Even several galls in a stem have little effect on the growth of Broad-leaved Willowherb, but greatly distorts the upper parts of Marsh Willowherb, causing extra branching and reddening of the stems. The larva is dull white, tinged olive green. The broad, brown prothoracic plate is narrowly divided at the front. In July an exit hole is made at the bottom of the mine, where a silk cocoon containing the pupa is formed internally, later allowing the emergence of the adult.