Pyralidae : Galleriinae
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Photo © Antony Wren,  Lowestoft, Suffolk

Similar Suffolk Species
Lamoria zelleri
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Aphomia sociella

(Linnaeus, 1758)1428 / 62.001

Morley’s Final Catalogue: An extremely frequent species, everywhere but perhaps around Ipswich where it comes but sparingly to light. Common at Copdock (Hkg), Bentley Woods in 1935; Aldeburgh, Leiston, Hacheston, Waldringfield; at Monks Soham light constantly in July-August 1908-36, Stowmarket, Fritton, Brandon.

Recent Status: A common species in Suffolk.

Life Style: The moth can be found from Spring through to autumn and will visit light, though sparingly. It is single brooded.
The larvae will feed on any detritus rich in dead insects but are particularly fond of the nests of bees and wasps. They prefer above ground and bumble-bee nests. The relatively recent colonist Bombus hypnorum is particularly vulnerable. Pupation is usually at the feeding location.

Identification: The variably marked adult is strongly sexually dimorphic. They are triangular at rest. That shape is accentuated in the female by the long pointed palps absent in the male. Both sexes have a strongly dentate pre and post median line on the forewing. The male is pale cream or white forward of the pre median line and dark grey or brown to the rear. The female is speckled dull grey or brown. The female has two black discal spots one of which is large. The male lacks these. Both may be green shaded around the wing edges and pink centrally.
The larvae are pale yellow with a pale orange/brown head. They protect themselves from the host species by tough silken tubes from which they will consume all parts of a nest including the inhabitants. Pupation takes place in tough silken cocoons within the tube network but can sometimes be away from the host nest.

Recorded in 53 (91%) of 58 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1908.
Last Recorded in 2023.
Additional Stats

Strophedra nitidana  |  Lamoria zelleri >

Determination
List Species Records   [Show All Latest]
Latest 5 Records
Date#VC10k Area
15/09/2023125TM58 - Carlton Colville/Kessingland
04/09/2023125TM14 - Ipswich
04/09/2023125TM25 - Wickham Market/Otley
01/09/2023125TM13 - Brantham/Holbrook
28/08/2023125TM14 - Ipswich
Show Details | 1990 to 2023 | 2000 to 2023 | Graph Key
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Copyright © Jim Wheeler 2024
   

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Wingspan: 18-44 mm.
Flight: April to September
Foodplant:   Bee and wasp nests.
Nat Status: Common
Verification Grade:  Adult: 1
 Immature Adult
     
Underlying maps using Digital Map Data © Norfolk Online Lepidoptera Archive - NOLA™ - Suffolk 2024. © James Wheeler - Norfolk Moths 2007 - 2024. Data © NOLA™ - Suffolk 2024
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