Momphidae

40.006 Obscure Mompha Mompha jurassicella (Frey, 1881)

Notable A

Similar species:

Forewing: 5 to 6.5mm

Habitats: Arid situations such as field margins, wasteground and dry ditches.

Habits: The moth comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva mines a stem of Great Willowherb. In July it mines the pith of the main stem giving no indication of its presence externally. The larva is pale yellow-green, with a pale brown head and thoracic legs and an even paler prothoracic plate. The larva bores through to the stem wall just before pupation in August, leaving the bark as a cap for the exit hole. The white cocoon is formed in the mine just below the exit cap, which is usually located midway between the nodes.