35.139 Caryocolum huebneri (Haworth, 1827)

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Status and Distribution

Extinct, with the last probable records during the 19th Century.

First noted near Haslemere, Surrey (the unspecified locality might possibly have been in nearby Sussex) in 1864 by Mr Charles G. Barrett (Entomologist's Monthly Magazine 2: 43 and The Entomologist's Annual 1866: 167).

The former distribution of this species is imperfectly known due to confusion (covering both nomenclature and misidentification) with Caryocolum kroesmanniella and the provisional distribution map for C. huebneri may contain errors with some dots likely to refer to C. kroesmanniella. At present records from Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Kent, Surrey and Sussex are considered to be the most likely to be authentic and it certainly occured formerly in England as the 'type' locality is there (Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland Vol 4 (2), page 204).

National Status: Extinct
Bradley & Fletcher no: 837

Provisional map

NHMSYS0000501650

Foodplant and Larval Feeding Signs

Stellaria holostea (greater stitchwort), see plant distribution map.

Feeds between spun shoots.

Habitat

Appears to be mainly associated with woodland.

Finding the Moth

Larva: feeds within spun shoots and, in Eurpoe, is reported to feed within seed capsules in June.

Adult: has been found on oak and other tree trunks and comes to light (the latter reported in Europe).

Similar Species

In view of the status of this species in Britain and its confusion with C. kroesmanniella no more than a single voucher specimen should be retained for examination if this species is suspected.

C. kroesmanniella is larger (wingspan 12-15mm as opposed to 9-12mm in C. huebneri) and has no connecting bar between the costa and the plical spot. Best separated by examination of the genitalia.

May
July, August

Single brooded, from mid-July to the end of August.