Helcystogramma rufescens (Haworth, 1828) Species
Last modified: Feb. 26, 2024, 5:42 p.m.
A rather common species throughout Belgium.
Details
- Classification
- Family: Gelechiidae > Subfamily: Dichomeridinae > Genus: Helcystogramma > Species: Helcystogramma rufescens
- Vernacular names
- Rietpalpmot (NL), Schilf-Palpenmotte (DE)
- First mention in Belgium
- De Fré Ch. 1858. Catalogue des Microlépidoptères de la Belgique. — Annales de la Société entomologique belge 2: 45–162. On page 130.
- Status
-
Native
Distribution
Imago
Wingspan 17–19 mm.
Museum specimens
No pictures yet!Specimens in nature
Genitalia
Caterpillar
Bionomics
The larva twists the leaves into tubes, making the edges fit neatly together and then it devours half the thickness of the central portion of the tube, which becomes discoloured; when finished, it changes to another leaf. It hibernates in the larval habitation (Gregersen & Karsholt 2022).
The adults become active at dusk and later come to light.
Flight periods
The adults have been seen from late May towards late October with a peak during July.
Observed on
- Host plant (genera):
- Poa and Arrhenatherum
The larva lives on different species of Poaceae, like: Calamagrostis epigejos and Brachypodium sylvaticum a.o.
Habitat
It inhabits fens, meadows, open forests and grassy pastures.
