Forficella Concealer Moth

Description:

Oecophoridae, Oecophorinae, Oecophorini, Harpella forficella. Not really rare, but you have to sharpen your eyes, since it is usually not attracted by light, but sitting on leaves in deciduous or mixed forests, mostly hidden in the lower part (at least) of trees and shrubs. But these unique colors and markings makes it easier to find. The caterpillars live on decayed wood or under bark. They feed on fungus mycelia on dead wood. Interesting is the fact, that they take two years to develop.

Habitat:

I found it on a dead tree trunk at a forest edge in my area. I have seen it throughout July during my night walks.

Notes:

Common in continental Europe and 2011 first detected in UK. http://www.lepiforum.de/lepiwiki.pl?Harp... https://www.zobodat.at/pdf/Atalanta_23_0...