Crambidae

63.056 Starry Pearl Cynaeda dentalis ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

Notable A

Similar species:

Forewing: 10 to 14mm

Habitats: Vegetated coastal shingle, calcareous sea-cliffs and occasionally sand-dunes.

Habits: The moth can be disturbed during the day. It flies from dusk and later comes to light. It can be found resting on the foodplant after dark.

Foodplant: The larva overwinters while small. In the early spring it mines the basal leaves of Viper's Bugloss. It then feeds in the lower stem causing the leaves to wither. Pupation takes place in a hard cocoon covered with leaf fragments and spun to one of the dead leaves.