Photo © Mike Wall

Nemapogon variatella

Checklist Number
12.020 [B&F: 0218]

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

Classification

Family:Tineidae
Subfamily:Nemapogoninae
Genus:Nemapogon
Species:variatella
Authority:(Clemens, 1859)

Rare (proposed as a future Red Data Book species) in barns, warehouses and granaries in the London area and also in woodland on bracket fungus. Not recorded in Hampshire or on the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 10-14 mm. Forewing relatively narrower than in other species of the group, and the head is a purer white; small specimens of Cork Moth N. cloacella can approach it very closely, but some ochreous suffusion is nearly always present on the forewing of that species (MBGBI Vol 2). Larva feeds on bracket fungus, dried goods, cereals, grain, dried fruit and nuts, causing sufficient damage to be a serious pest in some areas.