About Oecophora bractella Linnaeus, 1758
Oecophora bractella is a species of gelechioid moth. It is native to Europe and has been introduced to western North America. This moth belongs to the subfamily Oecophorinae of the concealer moth family Oecophoridae. It is the type species of the genus Oecophora, and its not fully understood affiliations and phylogeny determine how the family and subfamily are delimited. In its native range in Europe, Oecophora bractella lives in woodland. The species is uncommon in outlying regions. For example, in the United Kingdom, it has only been recorded from a small number of old-growth forest patches in the English Midlands (such as Wyre Forest), southern England, and southern Wales (such as the Wye Valley). Adult Oecophora bractella have a wingspan of 12 to 16 mm. They are conspicuously bicolored black and yellow, and also have some iridescent blue markings on their forewings. Adult moths fly from May to July, with the flight period varying by location. They are semi-diurnal: they can be encountered during the day, but are usually active at dawn. The caterpillars of Oecophora bractella feed on dead and decaying wood, and may also feed on fungi.
