Gorse Soft Shoot Moth
Common NameGorse Soft Shoot Moth
Scientific NameCelypha woodiana
FamilyTortricidae
SubfamilyOlethreutinae
Wingspan (mm)14
Wing Patternstriped
Primary Colorscream, dark brown
HabitatHeathland, gorse scrub, coastal areas, and other habitats where gorse grows.
Geographic RangeWestern Europe, including Great Britain, Ireland, France, Spain, and Portugal.
Host PlantsGorse (Ulex europaeus)
Flight PeriodMay to July
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesThe larvae bore and feed internally within the soft shoots of gorse plants. Pupation occurs within the larval feeding site, and the species is univoltine (one generation per year).
Identification TipsKey identification features include its small size, the distinctive longitudinal dark streaking on pale forewings, and its strong association with gorse as a host plant.
Description
A small moth with narrow, elongated forewings that are pale cream or light brown, heavily marked with prominent dark brown to blackish longitudinal streaks, giving it a striped and cryptic appearance.
