35.0299 Helcystogramma triannulella (Herrich-Schaffer, 1854)

Status and Distribution

Two British records, both from the Isles of Scilly in October 2013. Single females were found at light on the 3rd October on St. Marys by Dr. Chris Lewis and on 6th October on St. Agnes by Dave Grundy. Probably arrived as migrants during a period of strong migratory activity.

Bradley & Fletcher no: -
Photographer: © D Grundy
Location: St Agnes

Provisional map

NHMSYS0021120299

Imago

Helcystogramma triannulella St Agnes, October 2013, (photo: © D Grundy)

Foodplant and Larval Feeding Signs

The larva has not been found in Britain.

In Europe it feeds on Calystegia sepium (hedge bindweed), Convolvulus arvensis (field bindweed) and on an unidentified Ipomoea sp. (morning glory) where it feeds within a folded leaf making opaque windows, in two broods between May and September.

Habitat

Unknown in Britain, but is most likely to be found in hedgerows and banks where the larval foodplants occur.

Finding the Moth

Larva: searches for folded leaves with opaque windows from May to September on the Isles of Scilly and south-west British coastal areas would be worthwhile.

Adult: comes to light.

Similar Species

Similar in shape to the two other British Helcystogramma species (H. lutatella and H. rufescens) but with a narrower, more obviously streaked forewing containing three black spots surrounded, more or less, with white scaling.

October

Only recorded to date as a probable migrant in October. In Europe it has two broods, from June to August and from September overwintering as an adult to May.