45.034 BF1512

Dingy White Plume Merrifieldia baliodactylus

(Zeller, 1841)

Wingspan c.20-27 mm.

This species is distributed mainly in the southern counties of England, but also occurs locally in some of the northern English counties.

It frequents hillsides and waste ground generally on calcareous soils, flying in a single generation in July and August.

The larvae feed on wild marjoram (Origanum vulgare) in spring, biting through the stem and causing the upper leaves to wilt.