Pyralidae

62.059 Lesser Clouded Knot-horn Phycitodes saxicola (Vaughan, 1870)

Local

Similar species:

Forewing: 6.5 to 9.5mm

Habitats: Coastal calcareous grassland, vegetated shingle, landslips, sand-dunes, wasteground, gardens and inland heathland.

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

Foodplant: The larva feeds in a flower-head of Common Ragwort, Ploughman's-spikenard, chamomiles, Common Fleabane, Sea Mayweed, Jersey Cudweed or Golden Samphire and possibly Yarrow. In the autumn the full-fed larva spins a cocoon where it overwinters until it pupates in late April.