Prolita solutella

Range & Status

Formerly Lita solutella , this species is known from south and central Europe and into Asia (Meyrick, 1968). In Britain, this species has a disjunct distribution in the south-west and north England and in northern Scotland (Emmet, 1991), feeding on various Genista species.

Regional Distribution

First recorded in Cornwall in 1858 on The Lizard (Boyd, 1858); more recently recorded in 1986 at Kynance Cove (Langmaid, 1987), where it has been recorded subsequently.

Habitat & Ecology

The larvae spin silken tubes in the foodplant Hairy Greenweed Genista pilosa and Petty Whin Genista anglica , occurring on plants which are flat on the ground (Heckford, 1999).

Threats

None known. The foodplant is occasionally damaged by heath fires.

Conservation

None.