Bryotropha desertella (Douglas, 1850) Species
Last modified: Dec. 2, 2024, 2:54 p.m.
A rare and local species in Belgium. Distribution insufficiently known due to the similarity of other species in the genus.
Distribution after 2004 is based only on specimens checked for genitalia.
Details
- Classification
- Family: Gelechiidae > Subfamily: Anomologinae > Genus: Bryotropha > Species: Bryotropha desertella
- Vernacular names
- Bruinvlekmospalpmot (NL), Desert Neb, Coast Moss-moth (EN), Sandmoos-Palpenmotte (DE)
- Synonyms
- Bryotropha decrepitella (Herrich-Schäffer, 1854)
- First mention in Belgium
- Fologne E. 1864. Lépidoptères nouveaux pour la faune belge observés par E. Fologne. — Annales de la Société Entomologique de Belgique 8: 273–276. On page 275.
- Status
-
Native
Distribution
Imago
Wingspan 12–15 mm. Bryotropha desertella is indistinguishable from the common and variable Bryotropha terrella without dissection.
Museum specimens
No pictures yet!Specimens in nature
Genitalia
Bionomics
The larva lives in a spun tube, attached to moss, it lies among moss under the surface. Frass is extruded from the mine. Pupation takes place in a firm sand cocoon.
Adults become active after sunset and later come to light.
Flight periods
The adults fly from early May towards mid-September.
Observed on
- Substrates:
- Mosses
The larvae feed on various mosses like Syntrichia ruraliformis, Homalothecium lutescens and Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus.
Habitat
It inhabits dry places like sand dunes and simalar habitats, dry meadows, heathland, open woods and urban areas.
