45.025 Oxyptilus parvidactyla Small Plume Copyright Martin Evans
Distribution map Copyright Martin Evans
Life stages table Copyright Martin Evans 45.025 Oxyptilus parvidactyla Copyright Martin Evans

Pterophoridae

45.025 Small Plume Oxyptilus parvidactyla (Haworth, 1811)

Notable B

Similar species:

Forewing: 6 to 8mm

Habitats: Chalk and limestone grassland, coastal grassland, dry grassland and heathland.

Habits: The moth flies in afternoon sunshine and again from dusk when it visits the flowers of Wild Thyme and Marjoram. It occasionally comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds on Mouse-ear-hawkweed. The young larva feeds on the base of a fresh leaf and then on a young stem. After overwintering it feeds in the central rosette killing the leaves and leaving a pile of frass and plant debris in the centre of the rosette. It will then move to another plant. It pupates in a cocoon disguised with leaf hairs in the centre of the rosette.