Phycitinae
A large subfamily of mainly medium-sized moths with elongate forewings.
Some are quite colourful, though the colours are subdued rather than bright.
The males of some species have the base of their antennae thickened with
scales, and because of this character the moths are known as 'knot-horns'. They
are rarely seen by day, being strictly nocturnal; most, however, come readily to
light. The larval habits are varied and, according to species, they may be found
in spun leaves or in roots, stems, bark, flower-heads, seed-heads or fruits,
sometimes living gregariously. About one-fifth feed on stored products and are
potentially serious pests; most of these are adventive visitors from overseas but
several have now become established in shops and warehouses. There are 55
species in Britain and 42 of these have been recorded in Essex, including seven
of those feeding on stored products.
Anerastia lotella (Hubn.) Res., 1848-1976. Ammophila, other sand-hill grasses. Loc. c. on the
VC 18. 78 Thundersley, 1970 (DGD); 88 Leigh-on-Sea (Vaughan, 1889); *Southend
(Hodgkinson, 1848; Leech, 1886); 98 Shoebury (HCH). VC 19.11 Colne Point NR, St Osyth,
Clacton-on-Sea (AT; HCH; DWHff; MH); 23 Dovercourt, Harwich (GFM).
Cryptoblabes bistriga (Haw.) Res., 1880-1976. Quercus spp. Rather loc. and seldom c.
VC 18. 48 Wanstead (Thurnall, 1917); 49 Loughton (Thurnall, 1886); 59 Warley (AT; Eagles,
1934-1935); 69 Brentwood (coll. Goodson); 78 Thundersley (FGW: HCH; DGD); 79
Rettendon (HCH); 88 Southend district (Vaughan, 1889; FGW; VCH; HCH; DGD); 89
Hockley (FGW; HCH). VC 19. 02 *Colchester (Harwood, 1880-1881; VCH); 11 St Osyth
(VCH); 12 Weeley; 13 Wrabness (GFM); 23 Harwich by GFM (coll. Purdey).
C. gnidiella (Milliere) Adv., now perhaps res., 1933-1978. Pomegranates, less often other
imported fruits. Larvae will probably be found in most greengrocers' shops.
VC 18. 69 *Brentwood, reared 1933 (SW); Ingrave, 1978 (IM). VC 19. 53 Saffron Walden,
reared 1975-1976 (AME).
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