49.19 BF1101

Endothenia ustulana

(Haworth, 1811)

Wingspan c. 12mm.

A rather local and uncommon species, inhabiting damp woodland, waste ground and other places where the food plant is to be found. It is most widely found in the south and south-eastern counties of England, but also occurs further north and has been found in Wales and Scotland.

The larva feeds on bugle (Ajuga reptans), initially internally in the roots, and after overwintering, the later instars feed in the stalks of leaves.

Adult moths fly in June and July, and are active in the afternoon sunshine. The adults are obscurely marked and difficult to distinguish from some other Endothenia species without dissection.