45.034 Merrifieldia baliodactylus Dingy White Plume Copyright Martin Evans
Distribution map Copyright Martin Evans
Life stages table Copyright Martin Evans 45.034 Merrifieldia baliodactylus Dingy White Plume Copyright Martin Evans

Pterophoridae

45.034 Dingy White Plume Merrifieldia baliodactylus (Zeller, 1841)

Notable B

Similar species:

Forewing: 10 to 13mm

Habitats: Chalk and limestone grassland, quarries, coastal cliffs, coastal grassy slopes and wasteground.

Habits: The moth is easily disturbed in the day. It flies from dusk and comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva overwinters while small in stands of Wild Marjoram. In the spring it bites part way through the top part of a stem, causing it to wilt. The larva then feeds on the wilted leaves in the now stunted and drooping plant. It pupates on the plant stem or sometimes on a leaf.