Pterophoridae

45.040 Mugwort Plume Hellinsia lienigianus (Zeller, 1852)

Notable B

Similar species:

Forewing: 8 to 10mm

Habitats: Dry grassland, wasteground and deciduous woodland.

Habits: The moth flies from dusk and comes to light.

Foodplant: The young larva initially feeds in the flowers of Mugwort. After overwintering it feeds on the underside of the upper leaves making triangular to oblong windows. The later instar larva feeds lower down on the plant, under a succession of folded tent-like leaves which end up looking bleached. It pupates low down on the stem, under a leaf or on adjacent plants.