70.034 BF1678a

Jersey Mocha Cyclophora ruficiliaria

(Herrich-Schäffer, 1855)

Wingspan c. 25-30mm

This species was first noted in Jersey, Channel Islands, where attention to earlier records of similar species showed it had been present for some time.

The first mainland UK record was at Portland, Dorset in July 2003, and subsequently has become a regular immigrant and probable colonist along the south coast.

The moth is superficially similar to False Mocha Cyclophora porata and Blair's Mocha Cyclophora puppillaria, but is rather plain in appearance with small white discal spots. The larva feeds mainly on oak (Quercus).