Scythris siccella
Scythris siccella is a moth of the family Scythrididae first described by the German entomologist Philipp Christoph Zeller in 1839, found in Europe.
| Scythris siccella | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Scythrididae |
| Genus: | Scythris |
| Species: | S. siccella |
| Binomial name | |
| Scythris siccella | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Description
The moth flies in July and can be found on flowers, preferring dry sandy habitats. It has a wingspan of circa 9 mm.[2]
The larvae can be found in May and are polyphagous, feeding on the following species; kidney vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria), sea thrift (Armeria maritima), chickweed (Cerastium species), common rock-rose (Helianthemum nummularium), common bird's-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), restharrow (Ononis spinosa subsp. procurrens), mouse-ear hawkweed ( Pilosella officinarum), plantain (Plantago species), small scabious (Scabiosa columbaria), thyme (Thymus species) and rock-rose (Tuberaria species).[3] Larvae form a tube made from grains of sand and silk attached to the stem of the plant and mine into the leaves. Pupation is in a silken cocoon just below the surface of the sand.[4]
Distribution
The moth is found in Europe. In Great Britain it is known only from Chesil Beach, Dorset.[2]
References
- "Scythris siccella (Zeller, 1839)". Fauna Europaea. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
- Kimber, Ian. "Scythris siccella (Zeller, 1839)". UKmoths. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
- Ellis, W N. "Scythris siccella (Zeller, 1839) least owlet". Plant Parasites of Europe. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
- Bengtsson, B A (2002). Emmet, A Maitland; Langmaid, John R (eds.). Scythrididae. In The Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland Volume 4 (Part 1). Colchester: Harley Books. pp. 287–8. ISBN 0 946589 66 6.