Monochroa cytisella (Curtis, 1837) Species
Last modified: Jan. 27, 2026, 2:23 p.m.
A very rare and local species in Belgium.
Details
- Classification
- Family: Gelechiidae > Subfamily: Anomologinae > Genus: Monochroa > Species: Monochroa cytisella
- Vernacular names
- Varenboegsprietmot (NL), Bracken Neb, Bracken Gall Moth (EN), Adlerfarn-Palpenfalter (DE)
- First mention in Belgium
- Fologne E. 1863. Addenda au catalogue des Lépidoptères de Belgique. — Annales de la Société entomologique belge 7: 87–93. On page 91.
- Status
-
Native
Distribution
Imago
Wingspan 10–12,5 mm.
Museum specimens
Specimens in nature
Caterpillar
Mine
Bionomics
The larva lives inside a slender gall in the main stem or petiole of the food plant. The galls are most easily found in May before the fronds have fully expanded to hide the stem. Pupation among detritus on the ground.
The adults sometimes come to light.
Flight periods
The adults fly from mid-June towards late August in one generation a year.
Observed on
- Host plant (species):
- Pteridium aquilinum
The larva feeds on Pteridium aquilinum.
No pictures yet!
Habitat
It inhabits open woods and heathland.
No pictures yet!
