Sciota melanostyla
Common NameSciota melanostyla
Scientific NameSciota melanostyla
FamilyPyralidae
SubfamilyPhycitinae
Wingspan (mm)20
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsdark brown, white, grey
HabitatWoodlands, forests, hedgerows, areas with host trees
Geographic RangeEurope, parts of Asia
Host Plantsoak, birch, willow, poplar, hawthorn, cherry
Flight PeriodJune to August
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are polyphagous, feeding on the leaves of various deciduous trees and shrubs, often within a silken web. Pupation occurs in a cocoon, usually in leaf litter or soil.
Identification TipsDistinguished by its specific forewing pattern of dark and pale mottling, including a prominent dark discal spot. Definitive identification from similar *Sciota* species often requires examination of genitalia.
Description
A small, slender moth with forewings mottled in dark brown, black, and white/pale grey, featuring distinct dark markings and often a pale streak. The hindwings are typically a uniform pale grey.
