Morley’s Final Catalogue: Not very rare; distinctly local in marshes. Taken at Woolpit in early July by the Revd. H. C. Marriott (Ent. Annual 1866, 158); and in some profusion at a brilliant light close beside Fritton Lake during early August 1934-6 (Mly).

Recent Status: Although there are many records of this species in Suffolk the distribution is somewhat disjointed. The apparent abundance within a few miles of the coast suggests the possibility that it could arrive as an immigrant. The Morley comment connecting it to marshes may account for some of the distribution pattern.

Life Style: The species is generally considered to be single brooded but the Suffolk temporal distribution suggests it may have two broods. The species flies at night and comes to light.
The larvae feed from a leaf folded with silk. The feeding results in fenestration. Oak is the main host tree. Autumn pupation is on the ground.

Identification: Cryptoblabes bistriga has a notably long median band with usually prominent white ends, hence ’bistriga’. The median band is red brown, sometimes pink, purple or orange brown. This colour can extend variably to the rest of the moth forewing, thorax and head. There are overall dark forms too.

Recorded in 30 (52%) of 58 10k Squares. First Recorded in 1934. Last Recorded in 2024. Additional Stats

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