Stenoptilia millieridactyla explained

Stenoptilia millieridactyla, also known as the saxifrage plume is a moth of the family Pterophoridae first described by Charles Théophile Bruand d'Uzelle in 1859. It is found in Europe.

Description

The wingspan is 17–20 mm. Adults are on wing in June and July, with a small second generation in late August and early September in some years.[1]

From late August the larvae feed on Saxifraga ragosoi, meadow saxifrage (Saxifraga granulata) and mossy saxifrage (Saxifraga hypnoides) including cultivars.[1] [2] [3]

Distribution

Stenoptilia millieridactyla is found in France, Great Britain, the Iberian Peninsula, Ireland and Italy.[4] Accidentally introduced to Great Britain in the 1960s and expanding its range. In Derbyshire the larvae have been found feeding on cultivars of mossy saxifrage in gardens.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kimber . Ian . Stenoptilia millieridactyla (Bruand, 1861) . UKmoths . 6 July 2020.
  2. Web site: Ellis . W N . Stenoptilia millieridactylus (Bruand, 1861) . Plant Parasites of Europe . 6 July 2020.
  3. Book: Stirling . Phil . Parsons . Mark . Lewington . Richard . Richard Lewington (artist) . Field Guide to the Micro Moths of Great Britain and Ireland . 2012 . British Wildlife . Gillingham, Dorset . 978-0-9564902-1-6 . 191.
  4. Web site: Stenoptilia millieridactylus (Bruand, 1861) . PESI Portal . 6 July 2020.