About Catoptria falsella (Denis & Schiffermüller), 1775
Catoptria falsella, commonly known as the chequered grass-veneer, is a moth species belonging to the family Crambidae. It is found in Europe, and adult moths of this species are nocturnal. The wingspan of Catoptria falsella ranges from 18 to 24 mm, and the forewing length measures 8 to 9 mm. The ground colour of the forewings is a mix of white, brown, and yellowish-brown, and the wings are often dusted with brown stripes. A narrow white longitudinal line runs from the base of the wing and extends past the middle of the wing. Just before the outer wing margin, in the outer area of the forewing, there is a strongly bulged transverse line that has a point in the recess toward the inner edge. This transverse line is crossed at its bulge by three thin dark longitudinal lines that start from the tip of the white longitudinal line. The hindwings of the moth are brown-grey. The caterpillars are greenish, with a brownish head and a brownish neck shield. Adult moths fly from June to September, with flight timing varying by location. The larvae feed on a variety of mosses, most commonly Tortula muralis.
