Scrobipalpa costella explained

Scrobipalpa costella is a moth of the family Gelechiidae. It is found in western Europe.

The wingspan is .[1] The head is ochreous, sometimesgrey-sprinkled. Terminal joint of palpi shorter than second. Forewings reddish -ochreous, sometimes suffusedly irrorated with dark fuscous; a dark fuscous triangular costal blotch extending from 1/4 to 2/3 and reaching fold, including the black stigmata, first discal followed by another black dot obliquely beneath it; an indistinct pale angulated fascia at 3/4; often a dark fuscous terminal suffusion. Hindwings 1, grey. The larva is greyish green; dorsal and subdorsal lines sometimes darker; 2 and 3 dark purplish-brown; head and plate of 2 black.[2]

Adults appear in September and spend the winter.[3] After overwintering, they are on wing till June.[4]

The larvae feed on Solanum dulcamara. They mine the leaves of their host plant.[5] Larvae can be found from mid September to June.

Notes and References

  1. http://www.microlepidoptera.nl/soorten/species.php?speciescode=330990&p=1 microlepidoptera.nl
  2. Meyrick, E., 1895 A Handbook of British Lepidoptera MacMillan, London pdf Keys and description
  3. https://ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?bf=819 UKmoths
  4. http://webh01.ua.ac.be/vve/Checklists/Lepidoptera/Gelechiidae/Scostella.htm Lepidoptera of Belgium
  5. http://www.bladmineerders.nl/minersf/lepidopteramin/scrobipalpa/costella/costella.htm bladmineerders.nl