Medium-sized moths with rather long, narrow wings. They are plainly
coloured and were described by Meyrick (1928) as "decidedly the least
attractive family of the Microlepidoptera". The larvae will eat almost anything,
including fresh and decaying leaves, seeds, berries, stored products, dead
insects and bird-droppings. All the four species on the British list are adventive
but two of them have become firmly established and both these occur
commonly in Essex except, apparently, in the north-west.
Blastobasis lignea Wals. Res., 1972-1979. Loc. c. and spreading.
VC 18.39 Chingford (PH); 48 Ilford (PV); 49 Whitehouse Plain (AME); Chigwell Row (IS); 40
*Epping (RWJU); 60 Mill Green (GSR & KRT). VC 19. 30 Waltham Abbey (DJLA); 60
Writtle A.C.; 81 Tiptree Heath; 82 Chalkney Wood (AME).
B. decolorella (Wollaston) Res., 1955-1980. Wdspd and v.c. in the south and east. 89 *Rayleigh
(Mere, 1956).
STATHMOPODIDAE
The only British representative of the family is a small ochreous yellow and
fuscous moth which rests with the posterior legs elevated and projecting at
right-angles to the abdomen. Its larva feeds in the fruits of its foodplant.
Stathmopoda pedella (Linn.) Res., 1898-1977. Alnus. Loc. and r.; "scarce" (VCH).
VC 18.48 *Wanstead, 1898 (coll. Tyerman); (Thurnall, 1917). VC 19.71 Alder Carr NR, one
10 July 1977 (AME).
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