STARRY PEARL

ADULT: Wingspan 19-22mm. A cracking little moth this that looks remarkably similar to a grass seed.  The forewing is creamy white with a dark toothed crossline and various white triangular marks. LARVA: The larva feed on Viper's Bugloss and are whitish in colour and covered in black spots.  There is a dark dorsal band and black thoracic plate. CHRYSALIS: The pupa is found attached to a dead leaf and is covered with leaf fragments.  BEHAVIOUR: Attracted to light in small numbers but perhaps best seen by sweep-netting. HABITAT: Coastal areas where the foodplant occurs. FLIGHT PERIOD: Single brooded. June to August. STATUS: Local and restricted to a few southern coastal locations and limestone cliffs.