Bankesia conspurcatella - Distribution map

Please note that the NBN Gateway map service has been terminated as of 1 April 2017.

As soon as a replacement map service is available, distribution maps will hopefully appear here again.

In the meantime, you can get some idea of distribution from the NBN Atlas website.

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11.007 BF182

Bankesia conspurcatella

(Zeller, 1850)

[Synonyms: Bankesia douglasii]

Wingspan 11-15 mm. A very local and rare moth, rediscovered in Kent in 1984.

There has been some discussion amongst authors as to the identity of the species found in Britain. Formerly, it was believed to be B. douglasii, but presently it is assigned to conspurcatella. With a recent upsurge in interest in the Psychidae, it is likely to be found to be more widespread.

The male depicted was found in Cardiff in February 2005, and was the first record for Wales.

The moth is univoltine, with a flight period from February to April.

The larvae feed on lichens, in a case made of lichens, soil and sand. It pupates during the winter months, attaching the case to fences, rocks or cracks in the bark.

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