35.017 Neofaculta ericetella (Geyer, 1832)
Nothris congressariella <<Neofaculta ericetella>> Hypatima rhomboidella
Status and Distribution
Common, sometimes locally abundant, throughout most of the British Isles, usually wherever heather occurs. Occasionally found in gardens where heather has been planted.
National Status: Common
Bradley & Fletcher no: 797
Photographer: © Paul Clements
Provisional map
NHMSYS0000503364
Foodplant and Larval Feeding Signs
Calluna vulgaris (heather), Erica cinerea (bell heather), Erica tetralix (cross-leaved heath).
See 'Finding' section for larval feeding signs.
In Europe also found on Erica herbacea and Rhodedendron hirsutum.
Habitat
Moorland, heaths, mosses and lowland raised bogs. Has been known to wander well away from its usual habitat into urban areas and may have become temporarily established in gardens.
Finding the Moth
Larva: found late August to February in spun grasses such as Molinia coerulea (purple moor-grass) emerging to feed on the leaves or within the flowers, of heather. Based on captive bred observations, it is suggested that the larva may only leave these spinnings in the grass at night-time. Pupa at ground level or sometimes within the larval spinning, from March to April or occasionally May.
Adult: easily disturbed amongst the heather during the day and comes to light. Observed once to apparently nectar on Antennaria dioica (mountain everlasting).
Similar Species
Similar sized species that could be found in heathery locations during parts of the flight period of N. ericetella's are Xenolechia aethiops, Prolita sexpunctella and Teleiopsis diffinis.
X. aethiops is much blacker and his narrow pointed wings, flying slightly earlier in the year.
P. sexpunctella has a distinct pinkish hue to the forewing when fresh and usually flies lower down in the damper portions of heaths, moors and mosses.
The darker forms of T. diffinis have an oblique line of black raised scales near the base of the forewing and lack the streaked black lines of N. ericetella in the outer third of the forewing.
A stripey specimen of this species has been confused with Aroga velocella.
January, February, March, September, October, November, December
May, June, July
Single brooded in an extended flight period from the end of April to the end of July. Occasionally in mid-April and August, rarely in March, September and October.
Earliest: 16th March 2003 VC49
Latest: 10th October 2009 VC59