Crambidae

63.002 Mugwort Pearl Loxostege sticticalis (Linnaeus, 1761)

Extinct Resident / Immigrant

Similar species:

Forewing: 10 to 14mm

Habitats: Dry grassland, wasteground and field margins.

Habits: The moth is nocturnal, but is easily disturbed in warm sunny weather and sometimes feeds at flowers. It comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva lives under a spinning on a leaf of Mugwort or Field Wormwood. It initially feeds on the upper-surface of the leaf between the veins and eventually skeletonises it. It overwinters in a silk tube covered with soil particles.

On the European mainland it also feeds on Lucerne.