Merrifieldia leucodactyla (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) Species
Last modified: Feb. 24, 2023, 3:34 p.m.
A very rare and scattered species in the southern part of Belgium.
Details
- Classification
- Family: Pterophoridae > Subfamily: Pterophorinae > Genus: Merrifieldia > Species: Merrifieldia leucodactyla
- Vernacular names
- Tijmvedermot (NL), Thyme Plume (EN)
- Synonyms
- Merrifieldia tetradactyla sensu auct., nec (Linnaeus, 1758) and Merrifieldia fuscolimbatus (Duponchel, 1844)
- First mention in Belgium
- Gielis C. 1996. Pterophoridae. – In: Huemer P., Karsholt O. & Lyneborg L. (Eds): Microlepidoptera of Europe 1. — — 1: 1–222. On page 201.
- Status
-
Native
Distribution
Imago
Wingspan: 18–25 mm.
Museum specimens
No pictures yet!Specimens in nature
Bionomics
The eggs are laid on the underside of the leaves. That's where the larvae feeds.
The larva feeds in late autumn and hibernates. It continues feeding in the spring.
Pupation on the food plant.
No pictures yet!
Observed on
- Host plant (species):
- Thymus serpyllum, Thymus drucei, Thymus pulegioides, Pulmonaria officinalis and Origanum vulgare
Oligophagous on Lamiaceae, especially Thymus sp. but also on: Pulmonaria officinalis or Origanum vulgare.
No pictures yet!
Habitat
Xerotherm, shrubby localities where the food plants grow.
No pictures yet!
