Morley’s Final Catalogue: Larvae of this species were first discovered at Shingle-street in Hollesley during October 1935 by Dr. Whittingham.
Recent Status: A common salt-marsh species in Suffolk that wanders.
Life Style: A single brooded species that flies during July and August and comes to light. The larvae feed on Salicornia and Sarcocornia. When fully fed it hibernates and pupates in the year following oviposition.
Identification: The adult moth can be identified on patterning. They have annulate antennae that are clothed with scales on the basal quarter in the female but only the basal two segments in the male. The scape has a scale tuft. The wings are ferruginous mixed light ochre with fuscous scales. This gives a rough appearance and the fuscous scales coalesce to between one and four spots, primarily a discal spot, then a second discal and plical spot. The larvae feed by boring into seeds and stems. For the final instar they use a stem tip as a case and continue to feed from this. They fall to the ground and hibernate in a silken cocoon. They pupate in the year following oviposition. More Info Verification Grade Comment: Adult: If photo, stigma on forewing must be clearly visible and 1st abdominal segment shown to lack C. clypeiferella feature. Case: Feeds in case for only a few days | Case: A good quality photo or specimen of the case and plant/pabulum is required. | |
Recorded in 12 (21%) of 58 10k Squares. First Recorded in 1935. Last Recorded in 2023. |