Nematopogon schwarziellus is a moth of the Adelidae family. It is found in almost all of Europe, except Portugal, Slovenia, Croatia, Greece and Ukraine.[1]
The wingspan is 14–17 mm. Head orange. Forewings long, light shining greyish-ochreous, indistinctly strigulated with grey ; a grey discal mark beyond middle. Hindwings light grey ; cilia whitish-grey.[2] To certainly determine the species of the genus Nematopogon dissection and study of the genitalia is necessary.
Adults are on wing from April to August.[3] Females have been observed laying eggs on various herbaceous plants, including Ajuga, Alliaria petiolata, Glechoma hederacea and Urtica species.[4] The larvae feed on dead leaves throughout the winter and all the following year until the following spring. They constructs a case from detritus, within which it lives.[5]