Eudonia mercurella is a species of moth of the family Crambidae. It is found in Europe, western China, Iran, Lebanon, Turkey, and north-western Africa.[1]
The wingspan is . The forewings are dark black variously mixed with brown and with a darker band along the distal edge of the pale antemedian line. The pale postmedian line is usually distinct against the dark ground colour. A similar species is Eudonia lacustrata, which differs from Eudonia mercurella by the broken wavy line that forms a broad white spot at the tip of the wing (apex). Another distinguishing feature of the females is the ventrodistal hump of the valvae. Furthermore, Eudonia mercurella resembles Eudonia speideli externally and pale specimens of Eudonia liebmani.[2] [3] [4]
The moth flies from June to August depending on the location. [5]
The larvae feed on various mosses.
Phalaena mercurella described by Zetterstedt in 1839 was actually Eudonia murana.[6]