Status and Distribution
Extinct, with the last probable records during the 19th Century.
First noted near Haslemere, Surrey (the unspecified locality might possibly have been in nearby Sussex) in 1864 by Mr Charles G. Barrett (Entomologist's Monthly Magazine 2: 43 and The Entomologist's Annual 1866: 167).
The former distribution of this species is imperfectly known due to confusion (covering both nomenclature and misidentification) with Caryocolum kroesmanniella and the provisional distribution map for C. huebneri may contain errors with some dots likely to refer to C. kroesmanniella. At present records from Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Kent, Surrey and Sussex are considered to be the most likely to be authentic and it certainly occured formerly in England as the 'type' locality is there (Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland Vol 4 (2), page 204).
National Status:
Bradley & Fletcher no:
Provisional Map
Maps updated with all data received by January 2020.
Set Specimens
A photograph of a set male can be seen on the Natural History Museum, Cockayne collection website:
Dissection Group
Foodplant and Larval Feeding Signs
Stellaria holostea (greater stitchwort), see plant distribution map.
Feeds between spun shoots.
Foodplant Map
Habitat
Appears to be mainly associated with woodland.
Finding the Moth
Larva: feeds within spun shoots and, in Eurpoe, is reported to feed within seed capsules in June.
Adult: has been found on oak and other tree trunks and comes to light (the latter reported in Europe).
Similar Species
In view of the status of this species in Britain and its confusion with C. kroesmanniella no more than a single voucher specimen should be retained for examination if this species is suspected.
C. kroesmanniella is larger (wingspan 12-15mm as opposed to 9-12mm in C. huebneri) and has no connecting bar between the costa and the plical spot. Best separated by examination of the genitalia.
Larval Occurrence
Flight Period
Single brooded, from mid-July to the end of August.