32.033 BF712

Agonopterix astrantiae

(Heinemann, 1870)

---

Wingspan c. 20mm.

This rather rare and local species has been found in a number of localities in England and Wales since its first discovery here in 1933. The moth depicted is the first record of an adult in Ireland.

Its favoured habitat is mature woodland in chalk or limestone districts.

In the British Isles, the larvae are known to feed on sanicle (Sanicula europaea), in a leaf spinning. Abroad, the principal foodplant is astrantia (Astrantia major), from which the moth gets its scientific name.