Tortricidae

49.117 Sea Holly Straw Aethes margarotana (Duponchel, 1836)

Extinct

Similar species:

Forewing: 7 to 8.5mm

Habitats: Coastal grassland and shingle beaches.

Habits: It rests on or near the foodplant during the day.

Foodplant: The larva mines down the stem of Sea Holly to feed on the pith, eventually ending up in the rootstock. If it first started at the flower-head it will feed on the bracts before mining the stem. This will cause the flower to turn brown and wither. The larva is full-fed by October. It will then form a chamber in which to overwinter in the upper part of the root, where it will have pupated by May.