62.020 BF1451a

Etiella zinckenella

(Treitschke, 1832)

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Wingspan c. 25mm.

There have been a handful of records of this species since the first in 1989. The first four were found at coastal locations in the south and east, and are believed to be migrants. Two subsequently occurred in Middlesex and are suspected adventives, introduced with imported food.

Abroad the species occurs from southern Europe to the tropics.

The moth is quite distinctive, with a bright creamy-yellow costal streak and a yellowish and chestnut fascia at one third. Occupying open, dry habitats, adults are at large any time between April and September, with several generations depending on the climate.

The larvae feed in the pods of leguminous vegetables.