UKMoths Xenolechia aethiops - Distribution map
Please note that the NBN Gateway map service has been terminated as of 1 April 2017.
As soon as a replacement map service is available, distribution maps will hopefully appear here again.
In the meantime, you can get some idea of distribution from the NBN Atlas website.
35.154 BF763
Xenolechia aethiops
(Humphreys & Westwood, 1845)
Wingspan c. 18mm.
This somewhat unassuming species is an inhabitant of moors and heathland and is distributed fairly widely across much of Britain.
The adults, which fly in May and June can be difficult to distinguish visually from dark individuals of similar Gelechiidae, and it may be prudent to resort to dissection to be confident of identification, although habitat is a good pointer
The larvae feed on heath (Erica), leaf-mining at first, and later in a silken gallery amongst the leaves.
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