Bryotropha desertella explained

Bryotropha desertella is a moth of the family Gelechiidae. It is found in most of Europe, North Africa (Morocco), Turkey, Turkmenistan and the Russian Far East.

The wingspan is 11–16 mm.^[1] The terminal joint of palpi longer than second. Forewings light brownish-ochreous, often brownish -sprinkled ; a blackish discal dot towards base ; stigmata black, first discal beyond plical; sometimes some terminal blackish dots. Hindwings pale grey.^{[2] [3] [4] [5]}

Adults have been recorded on wing from early April to late September. In the north, there probably is one generation per year. In the south, there are two generations per year.

The larvae feed on mosses such as Syntrichia ruraliformis, Homalothecium lutescens and Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus.

External links

• ukmoths

Notes and References

1. , 2005, the genus Bryotropha Heinemann in the western palaearctic (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), Tijdschrift voor Entomologie 148: 77–207. Abstract and full article: http://www.nev.nl/tve/pdf/te0148077.pdf
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/Bryotropha_desertella lepiforum.de includes images