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| 7 June 2021 |
19 May 2022
7 June 2021
This micro moth is only 3 or 4mm long and is dark grey with silvery-white streaks and a black spot at the apex. Seen during the summer months, it is a very common species in much of Britain and Ireland, where it can be found on sunny days visiting flowers, especially those of buttercup (Ranunculus) and Daisy (Asteraceae). There can sometimes be more than two dozen adults to a single flower.
Easily overlooked but when inspected closely, the moths can be recognised as they slowly 'pump' their wings open and closed. Occasionally comes to light.
The tiny caterpillars feed on the seeds of their foodplant, which is mainly cock's foot (Dactylis glomerata) grass. When the fully grown, the larvae will enter the stem of the grass to pupate. Infested stems can be detected by the presence of small holes along their length.
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