Crambidae

63.005 Straw-barred Pearl Pyrausta despicata (Scopoli, 1763)

Common

Similar species: This moth soon fades to become an almost even brown. At this stage it can be mistaken for other faded Pyrausta spp.

Forewing: 7 to 9mm

Habitats: Limestone and chalk downland, coastal grassland and vegetated shingle, sand-dunes and heathland.

Habits: The moth flies in sunshine and from dusk. It later comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds gregariously from a tubular silk web at the base of the leaves of Ribwort Plantain, Greater Plantain and other plantains. The full-fed autumn larva probably overwinters in its cocoon. It pupates in a tough white cocoon in the earth.