Scythris picaepennis explained

Scythris picaepennis is a moth of the family Scythrididae first described by Adrian Hardy Haworth in 1828. It is found in Europe.

Description

The moth has a wingspan of circa 10 mm.[1] Abdomen in female beneath with ochreous-whitish blotch extending over two or more anteapical segments. Forewings moderately long-pointed, dark bronzy-fuscous, with scattered whitish hair-scales, especially towards apex. Hindwings, dark purplish-fuscous. Larva dull grey-green, with several whitish lines; dots blackish; head brown-black[2] .

It is on the wing in July.

The larvae feed in a web on many herbs including common rock-rose (Helianthemum nummularium), common bird's-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), plantains (Plantago species), devil's-bit scabious (Succisa pratensis); thyme (Thymus praecox subsp praecox) and wild thyme (Thymus polytrichus).[3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kimber . Ian . 43.004 BF915 Scythris picaepennis (Haworth, 1828) . UKmoths . 21 May 2020.
  2. Meyrick, E., 1895 A Handbook of British Lepidoptera MacMillan, London pdf Keys and description
  3. Web site: Ellis . W N . Scythris picaepennis (Haworth, 1828) white-dusted owlet . Plant Parasites of Europe . 21 May 2020.