Oxyptilus pilosellae

Description

Oxyptilus pilosellae (hieracium plume moth) is a moth of the family Pterophoridae. It is found in almost all of Europe, east to Russia and Asia Minor. It was released as a biological control agent for Hieracium in New Zealand in 1998. The wingspan is 15–24 mm. Adults are on wing from May to August in western Europe. Young larvae feed within the roots of Hieracium species, including Hieracium pilosella. Later instars feed on the flowerheads, beneath a silken web.