Morley’s Final Catalogue: Quite rarely observed. No localities recorded between Felixstow in July 1902 (Gbs) and Beccles after 1890 (Ctw); Gorleston in July 1932 (D). Now as common as Aceriana in poplars about Ipswich, Horham and Debenham (Whit).

Recent Status: A common species in Suffolk.

Life Style: A single brooded species flying during June and coming to light. The larvae feed on Populus and Salix species. They mine a twig prior to hibernation. In spring they feed inside buds, catkins and amongst young leaves. They pupate away from the larval habitation in a cocoon.

Identification: There are three similar species of Gypsonoma, G. dealbana, G. sociana and G. aceriana. G. aceriana is the least marked species and has the edge of the dark basal patch almost straight which character separates it from similar Olethreutinae. It may show a few black scales in the ocellus and have a slightly darker suffusion mid termen and through the central area to the triangular but weakly marked pre-tornal spot. It has a dark head and palps. G. sociana has a strongly marked pre-tornal spot and a prominent dark mark from the costa at one half. It has a white face but dark crown and the dark palps are white tipped. G. dealbana has a strongly marked pre-tornal spot and a dark mark centrally in the wing just before and above the ocellus. It has a white face, a beige vertex and a brown crown. The palps are pale brown, white tipped. G. dealbana commonly shows much darker forms that the other species do not. More Info

Recorded in 38 (66%) of 58 10k Squares. First Recorded in 1890. Last Recorded in 2023. Additional Stats

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