150 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 6: 1993 



by the darker head colour. The male genitalia of this species are somewhat similar 

 to those of proximum but differ in the distinctly longer and broader valva and the 

 broader uncus. 



Biology. The larva feeds on Stellaria holostea L., in the early spring as a leaf-miner, 

 later between spun shoots and finally within the seed capsules. It is fully grown in 

 early June (Douglas, 1852; Stainton, 1867). Moths have been collected from early 

 July to mid-September, particularly in deciduous forests. 



Local in England, Wales and Ireland as far north as Cumbria. Abroad in Europe, 

 except the southern part. 



Caryocolum proximum (Haworth, 1828), Plate V, Fig. 19 



maculiferella (Douglas, 1851) 



Wingspan 9-11.5 mm. Head, thorax and tegulae mid-brown mottled with white, 

 face white. Forewing whitish, densely speckled with mid- to grey-brown; black 

 markings: broad patch from fold to costa at \, spots at \, f, the latter comma- 

 shaped; indistinct white costal and tornal spots at f. 



Male genitalia (Fig. 7). Transtilla with numerous minute spines. Valva moderately 

 long, slender, with distinct apical bulge and brush of setae. Sacculus knife-shaped. 

 Posterior margin of vinculum medially with small incision. Saccus broad at base, 

 gradually tapering. Uncus narrow. 



Female genitalia (Fig. 19). Eighth segment with pair of long digitate processes 

 ventrally, ventral zone with large ovate sclerotization. Antrum short, funnel-shaped, 

 indented. Signum with short, stout hook. 



Remarks. C. proximum is similar to junctella, alsinella and blandulella externally. 

 It differs from junctella in the colour of the head and thorax, from British blandulella 

 in the extent of dark fuscous scales and the broad black patch at \ , a marking in 

 which it also differs from alsinella. The male genitalia are similar to those of 

 blandella although they may be distinguished by the distinctly shorter and more 

 slender valva and the narrower uncus as well as by the shape of the saccus. The female 

 genitalia differ from those of blandulella in the ovate ventromedial plate of the 

 eighth segment. 



Biology. According to Bradford (1979) the larva occurs in May and feeds on the 

 flowers and seeds of Cerastium fontanum Baumg. On the Continent it has also been 

 bred from Stellaria media (L.) Vill. (Karsholt, 1981). Records of Cerastium 

 semidecandrum L. as a host -plant (Stainton, 1867) refer to alsinella. Moths have been 

 collected from late June to the middle of September, frequently during August. Most 

 specimens have been collected near open grassland flying around hawthorn hedges. 



Local in England and Wales to Durham. Abroad in Europe, except the south-west, 

 Scandinavia, USA. 



Caryocolum blandulella (Tutt, 1887), Plate V, Fig. 20 



Wingspan 8.5-11 mm. Head, thorax and tegulae white flecked with a few mid- 

 brown scales. Forewing whitish mottled with grey-brown, particularly along costa 

 and dorsal margin; black markings: broad patch from fold to costa at \, spots at 

 5, 5, the latter, occasionally comma-shaped spot is sometimes extended towards 

 tornus; black patch apically; white costal and tornal spots at f forming indistinct 

 fascia. 



Male genitalia (Fig. 8). Transtilla with numerous minute spines. Valva short, without 

 distal bulge, apical brush of setae present. Sacculus short, broad, with pointed apex. 

 Posterior margin of vinculum with V-shaped emargination. Saccus broad at base, 

 gradually tapering. 



