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
  • Oecophora siccella Zeller, 1839

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
  1. "Scythris siccella (Zeller, 1839)". Fauna Europaea. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  2. Kimber, Ian. "Scythris siccella (Zeller, 1839)". UKmoths. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  3. Ellis, W N. "Scythris siccella (Zeller, 1839) least owlet". Plant Parasites of Europe. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  4. 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.
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