Common Nettle-tap - Anthophila fabriciana
Phylum: Arthropoda - Class: Insecta - Order: Lepidoptera - Family: Choreutidae
This day-flying moth is very common throughout the UK and Ireland and is particultarly numerous around nettles.
The adult moths have marbled brown wings with white stripes and markings. The wings are held flat when the moth is at rest.
Common Nettle-tap takes to the wing in May and can be seen throughout the summer. Its habitat is waste ground and roadside verges and anywhere that Common Nettle grows.
The wingspan of the Common Nettle-tap ranges between 10 and 15mm.
Distribution
Anthophila fabriciana is common and widespread throughout the UK and Ireland and is also found in Europe.
Lifecycle
The larvae of the Common Nettle-tap make 'tents' from Common Nettle (Urtica dioica) leaves which is their food plant.
Although seen on other plants these common moths can be partcularly numerous around stands of Common Nettle.
Pictures: Rob Petley-Jones
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