Caryocolum alsinella explained

Caryocolum alsinella is a moth of the family Gelechiidae. It is found throughout Europe^[1] It is also present in North Africa (including Morocco).

The length of the forewings is 4–5 mm.Differs from Caryocolum proxima as follows: forewings somewhat narrower, a distinctly marked black dot in disc before costal bar, posterior fascia not angulated, forming two direct opposite spots. Larva pale yellowish ; head black ; 2 red-brown, plate black.^{[2] [3] [4] [5]}

Adults have been recorded on wing from late June to late September.^[6]

The larvae feed on Arenaria montana, Cerastium arvense, Cerastium diffusum, Cerastium fontanum, Cerastium semidecandrum, Minuartia verna, Moehringia and Stellaria species. Young larvae mine the leaves of their host plant.^[7]

Notes and References

1. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303214113/http://www.faunaeur.org/full_results.php?id=437457 Fauna Europaea
2. Meyrick, E., 1895 A Handbook of British Lepidoptera MacMillan, London pdf Keys and description
3. Heath, J.,ed. 1976 The Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland Vol. 4 Part 2
4. Langmaid, J. R., Palmer, S. M. & Young, M. R. [eds]. 2018 A Field Guide to the Smaller Moths of Great Britain and Ireland [3rd ed.]Reading, Berkshire. British Entomological and Natural History Society
5. https://lepiforum.org/wiki/page/Caryocolum_alsinella lepiforum.de includes images
6. Huemer . P . 1988 . A taxonomic revision of Caryocolum (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) . Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History) Entomology . 57 . 439–571 .
7. Web site: bladmineerders.nl . 2013-09-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140719095728/http://www.bladmineerders.nl/minersf/lepidopteramin/caryocolum/alsinella/alsinella.htm . 2014-07-19 . dead .