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Thursday, 16 April 2026

16-4-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - CURVED HORN MOTH (Symmoca signatella)

Symmoca signatella is a moth of the family Autostichidae. It is known from most of western Europe, but also Lithuania, Croatia, Greece and southern Russia. It has also been recorded from California in North America.

The wingspan is 12–15 mm. Adults are on wing in late summer and autumn.

The larvae feed on dried vegetable matter. They have been recorded feeding on dry leaves and plant debris on the stem and branches of Rosmarinus officinalis. The accumulation of debris was connected by light webbing.

Key Facts about Symmoca signatella

Family: Autostichidae.

Wingspan: 12–15 mm.

Appearance: Small, mottled grayish-brown moths with distinct darker markings.

Larval Diet: Larvae feed on dry vegetable matter, including dried leaves and debris, often in accumulated piles on Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) plants.

Habitat: Commonly found in dry, sunny areas, particularly in Southern Europe, notes LepiWiki.

Distribution: Widespread in Europe, including Spain, France, Germany, and Greece. It has been introduced to North America (e.g., California) and rarely in the UK.

Flight Season: Adults are primarily on the wing from August to September.

Behavior: The larvae create light webbing to connect debris, within which they live.