Crambidae

63.038 Mother of Pearl Patania ruralis (Scopoli, 1763)

Common

Similar species:

Forewing: 15 to 17mm

Habitats: Downland, wasteground, allotments and gardens, woodland and hedgerows.

Habits: The moth is easily disturbed from nettles during the day. It flies from dusk and later comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds in an open-ended rolled leaf of Common Nettle, from which it will drop on a silk thread if disturbed. It has also been recorded from English Elm, Wych Elm, Hop, Meadowsweet, oraches and goosefoots. It pupates in a large silk-lined chamber among the leaves of the foodplant.