Kingdom Animalia Order Lepidoptera Family Momphidae Scientific name Mompha locupletella Rank Species | Phylum Arthropoda Infraorder Heteroneura Genus Mompha Higher classification Mompha | |
Similar Mompha, Momphidae, Butterflies and moths, Mompha langiella, Mompha raschkiella | ||
Mompha locupletella is a moth in the Momphidae family that can be found in northern Europe and mountainous areas in central and southern Europe up to north-western Spain. In the east, the range extends to Zabaykalsky Krai and the Kuriles.
The wingspan is 9–12 millimetres (0.35–0.47 in). There are generally two generations per year, although there is only one in the north. Adults of the first generation are on wing from the second half of May to the beginning of July. The second generation adults are on wing from August to the beginning of September.
The larvae feed on Epilobium alpestre, Epilobium alsinifolium, Epilobium lanceolatum, Epilobium montanum, Epilobium palustre and Epilobium roseum. The larvae initially make a number of short corridors, either in the same leaf or different ones. The corridors initially have a central line of frass. After the corridor, an elongate blotch is made, starting at the midrib. Larvae can be found from April to May and from July to the beginning of August. Pupation takes place outside of the mine in a white cocoon on the ground.