Morley’s Final Catalogue: In the Breck, and of frequent occurrence up our coast. One flew to light at Ipswich in 1894 (Mly), and a dark form was taken near there in 1901 (Pyett); bred at Bentley (Bp.). Aldeburgh (Ctw) ; Lowestoft in August (Ent. 1922, 258). Brandon before 1890 (Dr. Wheeler of Norwich). Sibton light, 1937 (Hawley).

Recent Status: Well recorded across Suffolk.

Life Style: A single brooded summer flying species that comes to light. The larvae feed on species of Quercus and has also been found on Carpinus. They often feed communally from spun together leaves. The larvae pass the winter and pupate in the larval feeding location during early summer.

Identification: Acrobasis consociella has an area bounded by the sub-basal and pre median line similar to some other Acrobasis species. However the sub-basal line has a strong white component that merges into the basal area. The area enclosed by black lines is a deep sandy brown and this colour can be present over much of the forewing of what is otherwise a rather dull grey species. The discal spots are discrete and strong, particularly the central one.
There is a similar species in Europe, Acrobasis solalella More Info that has been found in the seaboard countries to the east of Suffolk. This species is slightly larger and more brightly coloured than A. consociella, More Info but otherwise very similar. It may be worth looking out for this as a potential immigrant to Suffolk. There are slight differences in the genitalia between the two species.
There are also two species similar to the grey form of A. consociella. These Acrobasis fallouella More Info , that has been recorded on the south coast and Acrobasis glaucella More Info , both have the black pre median line expanded on the costa and are blackish towards the apex.

Recorded in 37 (64%) of 58 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1894.
Last Recorded in 2023.