Pyralidae

62.031 Samphire Knot-horn Epischnia asteris Staudinger, 1870

Notable A

Similar species:

Forewing: 11 to 14mm

Habitats: Calcareous coastal slopes and sea-cliffs, rocky coasts and shores.

Habits: The moth is occasionally disturbed in hot weather, but usually flies from dusk onwards when it can be found flying around the foodplant or resting on it. It comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva overwinters while small. In the spring it spins the tips of Golden Samphire. Later it constructs a silk tunnel among the roots and plant base and feeds on the lower leaves. It pupates in a cocoon amongst the leaf litter.