CLOVER SEED MOTH

ADULT: Wingspan up to 10mm.  I think this is a superb little moth and one that is best recognised by the white face and palpi, the dark fuscous wings and the four white strigulae on the dorsum and the eight short ones on the leading edge of the forewing.  Towards the rear of the wing there is a grey ocellus-like mark too. The hindwings in the male are white, the apex broadly fuscous; in the female Hey are dark fuscous, lighter basally. This species is also known as the Meadow Tortrix and Triple-Stripe Piercer. LARVAE: The larvae feed on various Clovers and occasionally Trefoils. First generation larvae feed in the stems, second generation usually feed in spun leaves and flowerheads.  Sometimes feeding may take place in the seed pods too. BEHAVIOUR:  The adult moth is occasionally attracted to light but is best seen through the day by scouring the right habitat.  HABITAT: Mainly found in meadows and grassland where the growth is relatively short. FLIGHT PERIOD: On the wing during May and June and again in August. STATUS: A widespread but scattered species with varying population numbers.  It can be quite common in places.