Norfolk status
Locally found in the Brecks.
First recognised in Britain in 2005 by Colin Hart, who reared larvae found on flowerheads of Small Scabious from the Brecks. Earlier specimens taken in Norfolk were later determined to be this species.

Separated from Stenoptilia bipunctidactyla in 1988 in a German journal (Sutter, R., 1988.) Adult moths are virtually impossible to separate from bipunctidactyla apart from the female genitalia which are quite distinct.

The only larval foodplant recorded is Scabiosa columbaria. Final instar larvae are generally green, although they may have a red dorsal line, but not bordered by the yellow/green subdorsal lines of Stenoptilia bipunctidactyla larvae.

"In the spring the larvae mine the central rosette of small scabious plants. This causes the central two or three leaves to wilt and turn slightly greyish, (see ‘feeding damage’ picture). Find the wilted leaves and gently pull, they should come away easily revealing the head of the larva underneath. This is the easiest way to find larvae. In the last instar they feed externally and become much hairier and are much harder to find." - Colin Hart.

Conformation of any adult specimen requires dissection.

Verification Grade Comment: Breckland only

	Determination by Genitalia Examination (gen. det.) Required

Recorded in 3 (4%) of 74 10k Squares. First Recorded in 1988. Last Recorded in 2024. Additional Stats

Exit Recorder