Micropterix schaefferi Heath, 1975 Species
Last modified: May 16, 2026, 5:17 p.m.
A very rare species in Belgium.
Details
- Classification
- Family: Micropterigidae > Genus: Micropterix > Species: Micropterix schaefferi
- Vernacular names
- Gelderse oermot (NL), Riedgras-Urfalter (DE)
- Synonyms
- Micropterix anderschella sensu Herrich-Schäffer, 1855 and Micropterix ammanella sensu auct., nec (Hübner, 1813)
- 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 (as Micropteryx [sic] Anderschella HS.). view page
- Status
-
Native
Distribution
Imago
This small moth has a wingspan of 9–13 mm. A dull dorsal golden stripe. The basal spot is somewhat clearer and usually silver-coloured compared to Micropterix osthelderi, which is more golden-coloured. The median crossband is angled and touching both wing margins and widens towards the costal margin.
Museum specimens
No pictures yet!Specimens in nature
Bionomics
The imagines are active during daytime and can be found feeding on the pollen of a variety of herbaceous plants.
Flight periods
The adults fly from early May till mid-June.
Observed on
- Host plant (species):
- Brachypodium sylvaticum
In The Netherlands, the larva has been observed on Brachypodium sylvaticum.
Habitat
This species appears to prefer calcareous deciduous forests with, among others, Fagus sylvatica and Carpinus betulus with a rich undergrowth.
