Agriphila geniculea
Agriphila geniculea
Larva • Ex imago on dunes, Caernarvonshire • © Ian Smith

63.095 BF1309

Agriphila geniculea

(Haworth, 1811)


Wingspan 20-25 mm.

The strongly elbowed cross-lines generally serve to distinguish this moth, but on some specimens the lines are obscure.

It is an inhabitant of dry, grassy areas, sand-dunes and similar locations. It flies from July to October, and is present in suitable habitats in much of Britain except the very far north.

The larva, late September to early May, inhabits a flimsy silken gallery mixed with pale frass at the base of small grasses. Sometimes it leaves the gallery and is found curled tightly in a characteristic coil round a thin stem. Short fine grass species, such as Festuca ovina, are preferred.


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