Momphidae

40.012 Rock-rose Mompha Mompha miscella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

Local

Similar species:

Forewing: 3.5 to 4.5mm

Habitats: Chalk and limestone downland.

Habits: The moth can be found on the foodplants on sunny days.

Foodplant: The larva forms a short gallery on a leaf of Common Rock-rose, Hoary Rock-rose or White Rock-rose. This mine soon becomes obliterated by a large blister that occupies most or all of the leaf. It may mine a second leaf. The larva is red tinged with violet and has several diffused grey-white longitudinal stripes and irregular spots. The head, prothoracic plate and thoracic legs are dark brown, the anal plate brown. It pupates spun in the leaf litter.