Mistletoe Marble Moth - Celypha woodiana

_wsb_200x140_mistletoe+marble+nothThe mistletoe marble moth is a priority species for conservation in the UK, currently being recorded in just six counties including Worcestershire. As its name suggests the larval foodplant is mistletoe, with most records of the species to date being from mistletoe growing on apple in old orchards. This is very likely to be because mistletoe is most abundant and accessible for survey work within apple orchards, rather than a preference of the moth for orchards! Other tree species commonly hosting mistletoe are hawthorn, lime and poplar so it is well worth checking mistletoe plants growing on these too. In Worcestershire the area around Kempsey seems to be a hot-spot. Other records come from the Eckington and Kemerton areas.

Butterfly Conservation have published a fact sheet about the species, which you can download below. The larval mines can best  be seen in mistletoe late April-early June.

Mistletoe Marble Moth fact sheet

If you believe you have found evidence of mistletoe marble moth within Worcestershire please contact the Worcestershire Biological Records Centre with details and, preferably, a photograph of the distinctive leaf mine.

Worcestershire BRC
Lower Smite Farm
Smite Hill
Hindlip
Worcs
WR3 8SZ
records@wbrc.org.uk or 01905 759759