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Assara terebrella
Dark Spruce Knot-horn (Zincken, 1818)
Pyralidae: Phycitinae
1461 / 62.047
Photo © Brian Jones

Similar Suffolk Species: None
Wingspan: 22-25mm
Flight: May - August
Foodplant:   Norway Spruce Cones
Nat Status: Nationally Scarce A
Verification Grade:  Adult: 2

Morley’s Final Catalogue: Noted as absent

A E Aston 1961 Dark Knot-horn. Messrs. C. Morley and P. J. Burton took this species at light on 31.vii.1948, Foxhall Heath, near Ipswich (Trans. S.N.S.,Vol, VI, pt. III, p. 251).

Recent Status: A regularly recorded but local species in Suffolk.

Life Style: A single brooded species that may take more than one year to pass a life cycle. They can be found from May until August, flying at night and come to light. The larvae feed inside cones of Picea abies causing them to fall prematurely. The larvae continue to feed inside the fallen cones where they pupate when mature. Occupied cones appear black.

Identification: A distinctive species with brown to dark grey forewings. White scales mark the pre and post median lines and surround the sometimes joined discal spots. The palps are inconspicuous.

Recorded in 14 (24%) of 58 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1948.
Last Recorded in 2023.

Latest 5 Records
Date#VC10k Area
11/09/2023125TM49 - Somerleyton/Beccles
09/08/2023125TM25 - Wickham Market/Otley
23/07/2023125TM24 - Woodbridge/Martlesham
27/06/2023+25TM34 - Hollesley/Rendlesham Forest
19/06/2023125TM24 - Woodbridge/Martlesham
Further info: Assara terebrella
 
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