website logo Lepidoptera Outer Hebrides

Family: Crambidae   Checklist Number: 63.038

Patania ruralis (Scopoli, 1763)

Mother of Pearl

This is one of the larger micro-moths that truly deserves its common. As of 2024, there are just nine records from three site between July and August. The caterpillars feed on a range of plants which includes stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), goosefoots (Chenopodium spp.) and oraches (Atriplex spp.).

References: 
Sterling, P. & Parsons, M. (2023 second edition). Field Guide to the Micro-moths of Great Britain and Ireland.

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