Scythrididae

43.008 Rosebay Runner Scythris inspersella (Hübner, [1817])

pRDB2

Similar species:

Forewing: 6 to 7mm

Habitats: Wasteground and sand-dunes.

Habits: The moths fly during the day, especially in sunshine. They nectar at the flowers of Rosebay Willowherb and other plants.

Foodplant: The larva feeds on the flowers and shoots of Rosebay Willowherb or occasionally Great Willowherb and Broad-leaved Willowherb. The larva often feeds gregariously amongst spun flowers and shoots, the spinnings are full of frass. The infested plants often curl over at the tips or turn dry and brown. In July the larva pupates gregariously within a white cocoon in the spinning.