| Eudonia mercurella (Panzer, 1804) |
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Scientific name: Eudonia mercurella (Panzer, 1804) Common name: French name: Eudonie commune Order: Lepidoptera Suborder: Heterocera Family: Crambidae Subfamily: Scopariinae Wingspan: 16-19 mm. Biotope: Geographic area: Europe. Flight time: May to August. Number of generations : 1 Caterpillar: The caterpillar grows in a silken tube on mosses, usually on tree trunks, rocks or walls. Host plant: Various mosses. |
It is very difficult to tell apart the different species of the Scopariinae subfamily. One of the main criteria for Eudonia mercurella is the submarginal wavy line appearing in white on a dark background. Eudonia lacustrata shows a uniform creamy or greyish centre part of the wings and the submarginal wavy line appears in black on a white background. |
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I was doing exterior house painting, just at the base of the roof, when I saw this small moth landed on the roughcast wall. Then I got down the ladder with my paintbrush in the hand and I went back upwards with my digital camera. The identification of Eudonia mercurella is not totally sure and should be confirmed by a specialist with better knowledge than me (on moths not on house painting). |
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By looking with more attention, I have noticed that this wall (north side of the house), is used as a resting area by many Eudonia moths during summer days. |
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The years go by and the Eudonia are still present at late spring and early summer on the north wall of the house. |
André Bon February 2025