Hypatima rhomboidella

Phylum: Arthropoda - Class: Insecta - Order: Lepidoptera - Family: Gelechiidae

This common moth, which has a wingspan of about 18mm, is widespread throughout the UK.

Hypatima rhomboidella is a late emerger and is on the wing in September. It overwinters as an adult.

The adult moths are nocturnal. They occur in heathland, scrub, woodland and hedgerows where birch and hazel, their food plants, occur.

Distribution

Found throughout the UK and in most of mainland Europe except for the Iberian Peninsula.

Lifecycle

The larvae feed on the leaves of Hazel Corylus avellana and birches (Betula spp.), where they live inside a curled leaf.

Picture: Rob Petley-Jones

Studying butterflies and moths...