Pterophoridae

45.009 Tansy Plume Gillmeria ochrodactyla ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

Notable B

Similar species:

Forewing: 12 to 14mm

Habitats: Dry grassland, river-banks, vegetated shingle, quarries, road verges and embankments.

Habits: The moth rests on the flowers of the foodplant after dark. It comes to light.

Foodplant: The young larva feeds within a flower of Tansy, then mines the stem until it reaches the rootstock where it overwinters. In the spring it mines another shoot, exuding black frass at the joints and causing wilting. It pupates attached low down on the stem of the foodplant.