63.1 BF1314

Catoptria margaritella

([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

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Wingspan 20-23 mm.

The broad, unbroken white longitudinal mark on this species is quite distinctive.

It occurs in boggy and heathland habitats in scattered localities throughout Britain, where it is locally common.

The nocturnal adult is on the wing in July and August, and can be attracted to light.

At present the earlier stages of development are not well described. However, it has been reared from ova obtained from a captive female and in captivity the larvae initially ate the moss Campylopus flexuosus but in their later instars ate the basal parts of leaves of Eriophorum angustifolium.

Also, one early instar larva has been found in spun Campylopus flexuosus which later ate parts of leaves of Eriophorum angustifolium (R. J. Heckford).