Crambidae

63.002 Horehound Pearl Ecpyrrhorrhoe diffusalis (Linnaeus, 1761)

Immigrant

Similar species: If care is taken this grey-brown to warm-brown moth should not be mistaken for any other British species, although it is superficially similar to the larger European Corn-borer Ostrinia nubalis (13 to 17mm), its small size and sharply angled outer cross-line (rather than straight and jagged) should distinguish it.

Forewing: 7 to 10mm

Habitats: A Southern European/ North African species found from the Canary Islands, Spain to Morocco, north to Switzerland across to Slovenia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Israael and Greece. It inhabits warm, dry, stony slopes.

Habits: The first specimen was recorded at the Lizard, Cornwall on 18th August 2024. The moth is nocturnal and comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva lives under a spinning on a leaf of White Horehound or Desert Horehound. It overwinters in a silk tube covered with soil particles.

It is also associated with Mallows Lavatera spp..