Scythris empetrella Karsholt & Nielsen, 1976 Species
Last modified: Dec. 3, 2024, 2:59 p.m.
Recorded only once from Belgium during an excursion to Kalmthout (AN) on 05.viii.1861, leg. E. Fologne, L. Mors & J. Weyers, where they found this species "very common on an arid sand dune without any vegetation, running more than flying".
Found back in 2020 in LI after years of absence.
Details
- Classification
- Family: Scythrididae > Genus: Scythris > Species: Scythris empetrella
- Vernacular names
- Eenstipdikkopmot (NL), Krähenbeeren-Heidefalter (DE)
- Synonyms
- Scythris variella (Stephens, 1834), nec (Denis & Schiff., 1775)
- First mention in Belgium
- Fologne E., Mors L. & Weyers J. 1861. Rapport sur les excursions entomologiques faites dans la Campine anversoise. — Annales de la Société entomologique belge 5: 47–51. On page 48 (as variella). view page
- Status
-
Native
Distribution
Imago
Wingspan 9 mm.
Museum specimens
No pictures yet!Specimens in nature
Bionomics
The larva spins a long, tubular gallery of silk, mixed with sand, extending beneath the sand. Its development is very slow. It can be found in April–May.
Pupation in June in a long, curved cocoon just below the sand surface.
Adults do not fly often, when disturbed they prefer to run or jump. They can hardly be seen because they rest on the food plant and resemble very much a leaf of heather.
Flight periods
One generation a year in June–July.
Observed on
- Host plant (species):
- Calluna vulgaris and Empetrum nigrum
- Host plant (genera):
- Erica
Oligophagous on Ericaceae.
Habitat
Heathland on xerothermic sandy soils.
