Locust Bean Moth Apomyelois ceratoniae

This species is an adventive pest that breeds on dried fruit. Many British records are from around ports, but it has been recorded at other urban sites too.

This female was caught by Laura King and was Norfolk's first record. Laura sent me photos for help with the ID but it had me stumped - Dave Jones on the local WhatsApp group was first to suggest this species. I was pretty sure he was right, but in view of the significance of a first-for-Norfolk, gen detted it to make absolutely sure. The genitalia are similar to those of Apomyelois bistriatella but quite different from several other vaguely similar species of Pyralid. As far as I can tell having looked at images of genitalia at the Moth Dissection website and Lepiforum, differences from bistriatella include the larger size of the signa in ceratoniae, the presence of a stipuled semicircular plate somewhere near the ostium and a longer area of sclerotisation above this.

female Locust Bean Moth Apomyelois ceratoniae showing genitalia, Lower Hellesdon (Norfolk, UK), 17th May 2022