Morley’s Final Catalogue: Local on our coast in June and July, and apparently very rare for none have occurred since the species was first discovered here among Salsola Kali at Leiston before 1890 by the Hon. Beatrice de Grey. It extends no further north in England.

Recent Status: A species restricted in Suffolk to the coast where it will be found at sandy locations above the high water mark.

Life Style: This species may take more than one year to pass a life cycle. The adult moth flies in summer and will come to light. The larvae feed on Salsola kali. They feed on all parts of the plant and will bore into the stems. They may also feed from a web over parts of the plant. They pupate in a cocoon in the sand.

Identification: An exceedingly variably marked species, the forewing shows colours from cream, through sandy brown, darker brown, red brown to melanic forms. Paler pre and post median lines may be evident. The images on this page give a good indication. The moth is narrow winged and has heavily scaled erect palps which significantly aid identification. Paler forms show dark discal spots plus further dark spots similar to those of Phycitodes species.

Recorded in 6 (10%) of 58 10k Squares. First Recorded in 2001. Last Recorded in 2024. Additional Stats

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