Page 331 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Crambidae
DIS TRIBUTION Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East to western China
DISTRIBUTION
DISTRIBUTION
HABITAT T Woodlands, parks, grasslands, and heaths
A
HABITAT
HABIT
HOST PLANTS S Mosses, particularly Hypnum spp.
T PLANT
HOST PLANTS
HOS
NOTE
NOTE
NO TE Small caterpillar that feeds and pupates on moss
TUS
T
A
TION S
A
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but quite common
CONSERV
CONSERVATION STATUS
ADULT WINGSPAN
⅝–¾ in (16–19 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
¼–⅜ in (7–10 mm)
EUDONIA MERCURELLA
EUDONIA MERCURELLA 329
(LINNAEUS, 1758)
The female Eudonia mercurella moths lay their eggs on the
various mosses that are host plants for the caterpillars when
they hatch. Such mosses may be growing on tree trunks,
rocks, walls, and other structures. The young larvae feed and
then overwinter, becoming active and feeding again in spring.
As they feed, the caterpillars spin a silken tube through the moss Actual size
and later pupate in a silken cocoon within the moss, usually
during May and June. There is a single generation, with the
adult moths ying at night from June to September.

The large and widespread Eudonia genus includes around 250
species of micro moths, most of whose larvae feed on moss.
The moths are often referred to as grass moths because of their
habit of resting on grass stems during the day. At night they are

commonly attracted to lights. Identi cation is di cult as there
are few distinguishing features.

The Eudonia mercurella caterpillar is yellowish
green or cream colored with a faint, dorsal,
brown line and brown spots. The head is a
shiny brown, as is the rst abdominal segment.
Its hairs are short and sparse.