Grass Rivulet

Perizoma albulata

Photo

Forewing length: 11 mm

Description
A small pale day-flying moth frequenting areas of dry chalk or limestone grassland where its foodplant, Yellow Rattle, is found. Sometimes it is the most abundant member of the Lepidoptera to be seen on the meadow. The strength of the pale brown bands on the wings varies, so that individuals can be very pale, often looking white in flight. The darker individuals show a pale wavy bar across all the wings, hence the name “rivulet”.

Flight Period
The flight period is from May to early July. 

Larval Food plants
Ripening seeds of Yellow Rattle. 

Habitat
Grasslands, often on chalk or limestone. 

Status
Resident, fairly well distributed and locally frequent.