Grey Knot-horn
Common NameGrey Knot-horn
Scientific NamePhycita roborella
FamilyPyralidae
SubfamilyPhycitinae
Wingspan (mm)25
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsbrown, grey, reddish-brown, black
HabitatWoodlands, heathland, gardens, parks
Geographic RangeEurope, parts of Asia
Host Plantsoak, birch, hazel
Flight PeriodJune to September
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae feed on the leaves of various deciduous trees, particularly oak, often spinning silk webs. They overwinter as larvae before pupating.
Identification TipsKey features include the mottled brown and grey forewings with darker markings, and especially the prominent, upturned, scale-tufted labial palps that give it the common name 'knot-horn'.
Description
A small to medium-sized moth with cryptically patterned forewings, featuring mottled shades of brown, reddish-brown, and grey, often with darker bands and a prominent 'knot-horn' appearance from its upturned labial palps.
