Morley’s Final Catalogue: Not listed.

Recent Status: A rare species in Suffolk.

Life Style: The moths hibernate as adults and so can be found before and after hibernation. The larvae feed in the stems of Epilobium hirsutum causing a gall. They pupate in the larval habitation.

Identification: M. divisella, M. jurassicella and M. bradleyi are superficially similar. M. jurassicella is overall a duller appearance that the other two that are near identical. Records for these species should be supported by genitalia dissection unless an adequate photograph is available for the adult M. jurassicella. The larval habits are also very similar. All feed on Epilobium hirsutum within the stem, but M. divisiella has also been found in E. montanum, E. palustre and E. lanceolatum. In all cases galls result and the larvae create a hole in the gall for emergence from the cocoon in which they pupate. The galls are generally at a node on a stem but M. bradleyi tends to be higher in a flowering stem than the other species. M. divisiella reportedly opens the exit hole completely and covers it with silk where-as the others leave an epidermal layer. However this layer can be breached showing the silk of the cocoon. More Info

	Determination by Genitalia Examination (gen. det.) Required

Recorded in 3 (5%) of 58 10k Squares. First Recorded in 1996. Last Recorded in 2022. Additional Stats

Exit Recorder