Anerastia lotella (Hübner, 1813) Species
Last modified: July 27, 2024, 8:46 a.m.
A rather rare species throughout Belgium, more frequently observed in the sandy areas of the north of the country.
Details
- Classification
- Family: Pyralidae > Subfamily: Phycitinae > Tribus: Anerastiini > Genus: Anerastia > Species: Anerastia lotella
- Vernacular names
- Helmgrasmot (NL), Sandhill Knot-horn (EN), Phycide larvée (FR), Sandgras-Zünsler (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 103 (as A.[nerastia] Lotella. H. Dup.). view page
- Status
-
Native
Distribution
Imago
Wingspan 19–27 mm.
Museum specimens
Specimens in nature
Bionomics
The larvae live in a tubular case covered with sand, on the stems and the roots of the food plant. They hibernate. Pupation in a cocoon in sand at the base of the foodplant.
The adults can also easily be chased out of vegetation during the day, are active at dusk and later come to light.
No pictures yet!
Flight periods
The adults fly usually from mid-May towards August, occasionally later.
Observed on
- Host plant (species):
- Festuca ovina
- Host plant (genera):
- Ammophila and Corynephorus
The larvae live on: Ammophila, Corynephorus, Festuca ovina and probably other grasses.
No pictures yet!
Habitat
It inhabits dunes and sandy soils.
No pictures yet!
