Photo © Mike Wall

Bryotropha desertella

Checklist Number
35.041 [B&F: 0786]

Verification
Record requires retention of specimen until confirmed, and may require dissection. Consult with CMR if unsure

Classification

Family:Gelechiidae
Subfamily:Anomologinae
Genus:Bryotropha
Species:desertella
Authority:(Douglas, 1850)

Nationally scarce (Nb) in coastal sand-dunes, rarely inland, throughout much of the British Isles, except for northern Scotland. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight formerly more widespread, but in recent years recorded only from Hayling Island. Wingspan 11-16 mm. Dark forms are most easily confused with B. terrella, which is on average slightly larger with broader forewing; specimens with a weak indication of a median streak are always B. desertella, but weakly marked specimens are virtually impossible to separate without examination of their genitalia (MBGBI Vol 4 part 2). Larva feeds on various mosses, living within a silken tube or tent.

The abundance in each month is indicated as follows:

No records
Very occasional
Irregular
Uncommon
Off-peak, but not unusual
Off-peak, but not unusual
Main flight time
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Adult
Larval

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

No Larval records to show.

VC10 Isle of Wight

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
St Helens (SZ68)1900-Victoria County Hist of Hants & IW 1900Adult
St Helens (SZ68)1926-W FassnidgeAdult
Freshwater (SZ38)1950-K G BlairAdult
Freshwater (SZ38)17/07/2018oneDave CookeAdult

VC11 South Hampshire

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Christchurch (SZ19)1895-GAK HerveyAdult
New Forest (SU20)1900-W FassnidgeAdult
Hayling Island (SZ69)1900-Victoria County Hist of Hants & IW 1900Adult
Cracknore Hard (SU41)1950-David J L AgassizAdult
Bournemouth (SZ09)1950-Scarsdale C S BrownAdult
Lymington (SZ39)1950-David J L AgassizAdult
Hayling Island (SZ69)03/06/1978twoD H SterlingAdult
Hayling (SZ69)03/06/2000twoJ R Langmaid, I R ThirlwellAdult