35.050 Aristotelia ericinella (Zeller, 1839)

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Status and Distribution

Locally common on heaths and mosses and in moorland areas of England and Wales, very local in central Ireland and rare in Scotland. Not recorded from the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands.

Rarely recorded away from areas of extensive heather, but some of the very few Middlesex records suggest a possible association may occur with garden planted heathers (Herts and Middlesex Moths website accessed 14.12.25).

National Status: Local
Bradley & Fletcher no: 752
Aristotelia ericinella
Photographer: ©O Wadsworth

Provisional map

NHMSYS0000501400

Foodplant and Larval Feeding Signs

Calluna vulgaris (heather) - see plant distribution map.  In Europe also utilises Erica herbacea and Empetrum nigrum (crowberry).

In a slender silk tube amongst the twigs of heather from which it is easily dislodged.  Following this it will make a new silk tube leading to the potential presence of many empty tubes.

Habitat

Aristotelia ericinella habitat Cors Fochno, Ceredigion, 2016 (Photo: © S Palmer)

Heathland and lowland mosses (raised bogs), in the drier areas where good stands of heather occur.

Finding the Moth

Larva: feeds in silken tubes amongst the upper twigs of heather.

Adult: can be readily swept from amongst the foodplant where it is easily disturbed, flying in the afternoon and evening.  It occasionally comes to light.

Similar Species

A distinctive, strongly marked species which will not be confused with other species occuring amongst heather

June, July
July, August

Single-brooded from late June to early September.

Earliest: 24th June 1992 (VC58) and 24th June 2011 (VC62).

Latest: 15th September 2006 (VC37 and VC40).