62.002 BF1429

Aphomia zelleri

(Joannis, 1932)

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Wingspan 20-37 mm.

This moth is extremely local, found on coastal sandhills in Norfolk, Suffolk and East Kent.

The larvae feed on a moss found in such locations and feed from a vertical tube in the sand. The larva is full-fed by May and pupates within this tube about 3-4cm below the surface.

Adults fly from June to August and are hidden by day amongst vegetation, becoming active at night and running about on the sand. The female may make short flights; the males, much smaller than the females, do little more than flutter their wings.