Bryotropha terrella is a moth of the family Gelechiidae. It is the type species of the genus Bryotropha. It is found in Europe.
The wingspan is 14–16 mm., 2005, the genus Bryotropha Heinemann in the western palaearctic (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), Tijdschrift voor Entomologie 148: 77-207. Abstract and full article: Forewings very variable in ground colour - dark fuscous, shades of brown and grey to cream (coastal form), dark shining bronzy base of costa purplish-tinged. Variously showing the ‘bryotropha’ spots, a sub-terminal fascia and spots around the wing tip or unicolorous. Hindwings grey. Certain identification is by miscroscopic examination of the genitalia.Heath, J., ed. 1976 The Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland Vol. 4 Part 2Langmaid, J. R., Palmer, S. M. & Young, M. R. [eds]. 2018 A Field Guide to the Smaller Moths of Great Britain and Ireland [3rd ed.]Reading, Berkshire. British Entomological and Natural History Societylepiforum.de includes images
The moths are on wing from May to August depending on the location.
The larvae feed on various mosses and grasses, including Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Syntrichia ruraliformis, Hypnum jutlandicum, Calliergonella cuspidata and Agrostis capillaris.
References
External links
UK Moths Lepidoptera of Belgium Microlepidoptera.nl