DOUGLASIIDAE
A small family of very small moths with long, narrow wings. Only two species
occur in Britain, both of which feed on viper's bugloss (Echium vulgare).
Jermyn (1974: 135) describes the foodplants as "scattered and in small
quantities, decreasing". The species which follows must therefore be
considered to have a precarious foothold in Essex.
Tinagma ocnerostomella (Staint.) (VCH)1980. Echium vulgare. V. loc. and r.
VC 18.57 Purfleet, at TQ 552789, east of the road (AME).
The single British representative of HELIODINIDAE has not been
observed for 150 years and was never recorded in Essex.
YPONOMEUTIDAE
A large, complex family with five subfamilies represented in Britain. The
Argyresthiinae consist of small, rather glossy moths which rest in a
characteristic attitude with their head down and their posterior part raised at an
angle, i.e. in the reverse posture to that adopted by the Gracillariinae. The
larvae of most species feed in spring in buds, catkins or shoots. This subfamily
includes some of our most abundant moths.
The other subfamilies are the Yponomeutinae, Plutellinae, Orthotaeliinae
and Acroplepiinae. These contain mostly medium-sized to large moths,
amongst which are the familiar black-spotted, white 'ermines'. The Plutellinae
rest with their antennae porrected, a habit distinguishing them from all others
except the Coleophoridae. Several species overwinter as adults and
accordingly have dull, inconspicuous colouration; bright colours are present
only in a few species. Plutella xylostella (the diamond-backed moth) is a
well-known migrant and Acrolepiopsis assectella (the leek moth) is a pest of
leeks and onions; it has not yet been recorded in Essex to my knowledge but is
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