''Glyphipterix simpliciella'', the cocksfoot moth, is a species of
moth of the family
Glyphipterigidae
The Glyphipterigidae are a family of small moths commonly known as sedge moths, as the larvae of many species feed on sedge
The Cyperaceae are a family of graminoid (grass-like), monocotyledonous flowering plants known as sedges. The family ...
.
Distribution
This quite common species can be found in the western part of the
Palearctic realm and is common in much of
Great Britain and
Ireland.
Habitat
These small moths mainly inhabit flower meadows, especially with
buttercup and there are often many on one flower.
Description
''Glyphipterix simpliciella'' has a
wingspan of 6–9 mm.
[UK Moths]
/ref> and can reach a length of 3–4 mm. These tiny cryptic moths have dark brown forewings with a slightly metallic sheen. They also show a black apical spot and five white or silvery streaks along their costa, two across the dorsum and one in the posterior corner of the wings. The hindwings are dark grey, with grey cilia. Both sexes are similar.
This species is rather similar to '' Glyphipterix equitella'' and '' Glyphipterix schoenicolella''.
Biology
It is a univoltine species. Adults are on wing from May to July. They fly in the sunshine and especially feed on nectar of buttercup ('' Ranunculus'' species), '' Crataegus monogyna'', ''Euphorbia esula
''Euphorbia esula'', commonly known as green spurge or leafy spurge, is a species of spurge native to central and southern Europe (north to England, the Netherlands, and Germany), and eastward through most of Asia north of the Himalaya to Korea a ...
'', and of various '' Apiaceae'' species (especially ''Leucanthemum vulgare
''Leucanthemum vulgare'', commonly known as the ox-eye daisy, oxeye daisy, dog daisy, marguerite (french: Marguerite commune, "common marguerite") and other common names, is a widespread flowering plant native to Europe and the temperate regions ...
'').[Waarneming.nl ]
/ref>
The larvae feed on the seeds of cocksfoot ('' Dactylis glomerata''), tall fescue ('' Festuca arundinacea'') and '' Festuca pratensis''. They later pupate in the stem.[Lepidoptera of Belgium]
/ref>
Gallery
Image:Glyphipterix simpliciella larva.JPG, Larva
Image:Glyphipterix simpliciella a head of Dactylis glomerata tenanted by larva.JPG, A head of '' Dactylis glomerata'' tenanted by larva
Image: Glyphipterix simpliciella ill.JPG, ''Glyphipterix simpliciella''
References
External links
Microlepidoptera
Glyphipterigidae
Moths described in 1834
Moths of Europe
Taxa named by James Francis Stephens
{{Glyphipterigidae-stub