Harpella forficella (Scopoli, 1763) Species
Last modified: March 20, 2024, 5:44 p.m.
A common species throughout Belgium.
Details
- Classification
- Family: Oecophoridae > Subfamily: Oecophorinae > Genus: Harpella > Species: Harpella forficella
- Vernacular names
- Bruine molmboorder (NL), Braungelbe Faulholzmotte (DE)
- Synonyms
- Harpella majorella (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775)
- First mention in Belgium
- De Sélys-Longchamps E. 1844. Énumération des insectes Lépidoptères de la Belgique. — Mémoires de la Société royale des Sciences de Liége 2: 1–35. On page 24 (as majorella). view page
- Status
-
Native
Distribution
Imago
Wingspan 16–24 mm.
Museum specimens
No pictures yet!Specimens in nature
Caterpillar
Abdomen greyish-white with two rows of grey dotted pinacula, brown head, prothoracic plate, and anal plate brown.
Bionomics
The species hibernates in the larval stage. The caterpillars often occur commonly in spun galleries under decaying bark of trees.
Pupation in the larval feeding place, sometimes deep in the bark or tree trunk, within a flimsy cocoon.
During daytime, the adults rest on tree trunks. They are active in the morning and later come to light.
Flight periods
The adults fly from June till August.
Observed on
- Substrates:
- Dead wood
The larva lives from September till next spring on decayed wood, under bark etc.
Habitat
Deciduous and mixed forests, with a preference for: Fagus, Quercus–Fagus or Quercus–Carpinus forests; but also abandoned gardens and ruderal places where dead wood is left.
