45.012 BF1509

Brown Plume Stenoptilia pterodactyla

(Linnaeus, 1761)

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Wingspan 20-26 mm.

Distributed throughout the British Isles, often commonly in the south, but more locally in northern England and Scotland.

Adults fly in one generation between late June and early August. They are attracted to light, and easily kicked up from vegetation in the daytime. Fresh specimens can be distinguished by their white costal cilia and ochreous wing colour from the similar Stenoptilia bipunctidactyla, which has dark costal cilia and grey-brown wings. These differences may be less clear in worn specimens.

The larvae mine the shoots and stems of Germander speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys) from August to March. In April and May they feed on the flowers and are very well camouflaged against the plants' stems, dropping to the ground when disturbed.