Mesophleps silacella (Hübner, 1796) Species
Last modified: Jan. 5, 2024, 10:17 a.m.
A very rare and local species in the southern part of Belgium. Known from a few scattered places in the Calestienne area.
Details
- Classification
- Family: Gelechiidae > Subfamily: Anacampsinae > Tribus: Anacampsini > Genus: Mesophleps > Species: Mesophleps silacella
- Vernacular names
- Toverstafpalpmot (NL), Straw Crest (EN), Gelber Sonnenröschen-Palpenfalter (DE)
- Synonyms
- Mesophleps silacea (Haworth, 1828)
- First mention in Belgium
- De Crombrugghe G. 1906a. Catalogue raisonné des Microlépidoptères de Belgique. — Mémoires de la Société entomologique de Belgique XIII: 1–172; XIV: 1–155. On page 36.
- Status
-
Native
Distribution
Imago
Wingspan 10–18 mm. A distinctive species with head and middle body light yellowish white, hind body yellowish grey. Distinct keel-shaped palps, light gray on the upper side, otherwise brown. Antennae yellowish gray. The forewings bright ochre-yellow with a brown line on the outer half on the costa and with brown scales along the rear and outer edge. Disk points dark brown. Hindwings light grey.
Museum specimens
No pictures yet!Specimens in nature
Caterpillar
The larva was once described as pale reddish with some brownish rings with a yellow head and yellow prothoracic plate, but this may, however concern another species.
Bionomics
Little is known about biology at the moment, but it is suspected that they bore into the fruits and feed there.
The adults become active in late afternoon on warm sunny days and later come to light.
Flight periods
The adults have been seen from late May towards mid-September.
Observed on
- Host plant (species):
- Helianthemum nummularium
The larva lives mostly on Helianthemum nummularium and Helianthemum sp.
Habitat
It inhabits calcareous rocks and rocky slopes.
