About Ypsolophus ustella (Clerck, 1759)
Ypsolopha ustella, commonly known as the variable ypsolopha moth, is a moth species belonging to the family Ypsolophidae. This species can be found across most of Europe, and is also present in North America. Its wingspan measures 15–20 mm. It is a variable species that has numerous distinct colour forms. Meyrick's description of the species reads as follows: The head is ferruginous ochreous or grey. Compared to Ypsolopha parenthesella, the forewings are narrower, and range in colour from pale grey or pale greyish-ochreous to deep ferruginous-ochreous or dark bronzy; it may sometimes have several small darker spots, or indistinct longitudinal streaks of whitish irroration, or a dark fuscous median longitudinal streak running from the base to the apex; it has a dark fuscous dot above the tornus; and a costal patch of thickened membrane between veins 11 and 12. The hindwings are grey. The larva is green, with darker spots. In western Europe, adult moths are active in flight from mid-July to April, but adults can be active nearly year-round depending on the location. This species overwinters in the adult life stage. Its larvae feed on the upper surface of leaves of oak (Quercus) species.
