Morley’s Final Catalogue: Not often observed. Beaten bushes at Foxhall in July 1904, and occasionally at Monks Soham light during 1914-33 (Mly); Orford (Gibbs) and Bungay (Mn) in 1904. Lackford (Whit.).

Recent Status: One of the more frequently observed species of Mompha in Suffolk.

Life Style: A single brooded species that comes to light from late May to July. The larvae feed on Epilobium hirsutum. The larvae feed through the winter. They pupate in a cocoon in the final larval habitation.

Identification: The moth has similarities to the smaller M. epilobiella but is a larger brighter and paler species. The wings are marked in light yellowish and orange ochre. The larvae mine the roots in autumn and move into the stem as the plant grows in spring. They mine up the stem and along a petiole into a lower leaf where they create a gallery mine in which they pupate.

Recorded in 37 (64%) of 58 10k Squares. First Recorded in 1904. Last Recorded in 2023. Additional Stats

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