About Borkhausenia minutella (Linnaeus, 1758)
Borkhausenia minutella (Linnaeus, 1758) is a species of moth. It is classified in the subfamily Oecophorinae of the concealer moth family Oecophoridae, within its superfamily. This moth is found in Europe, where it occurs most commonly in rural landscapes. It is somewhat synanthropic, and is regularly found around traditional farms. However, this species does not appear to tolerate industrial agriculture well. It declined across its range throughout the 20th century, and is now entirely extinct in the United Kingdom. It was once common there, but has not been observed since around 1950. This is a small moth, with a wingspan ranging from 10 to 14 millimetres (0.39–0.55 in). Its overall color is dark, somewhat metallic slate grey, and each forewing bears two large pale yellow markings. Meyrick gave the following detailed description: Forewings are dark fuscous; there is a transverse ochreous-yellow spot on the tornus, and a smaller similar spot on the costa beyond this spot. Hindwings are grey. The larva is whitish, with a pale brown head; the plate on segment two is pale, and the plate on segment three is yellow-brown. Adult moths fly from May to June, with flight timing varying by location. Caterpillars of this species feed on seeds and other dry plant materials including dried fruit; they have also been recorded living in chicken (Gallus gallus) nests.
