Crambidae

63.023 Wood Sage Pearl Anania verbascalis ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

Notable B

Similar species:

Forewing: 10 to 12mm

Habitats: Breckland, heathland, woodland rides or cleared areas within woodland.

Habits: The moth very occasionally flies by day, but more usually from dusk. It later comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds on Wood Sage or perhaps Great Mullein. It initially feeds from a tubular silk gallery. Later it spins the leaf margins of a lower leaf downwards or lightly spins the leaves of the foodplant together and eats holes in the leaves from below. The full-fed larva overwinters in a cocoon under the foodplant where it pupates in late April.