Grapholita pallifrontana

Wingspan 10 to 12 mm. 

It is similar in appearance to Grapholita internana and care must be taken with identification.

This is a rare species in VC55 and records must be supported by good photographs.  If your record is not of a moth in association with its foodplant gen det may be necessary.

Strongly associated with Wild Liquorice. Most frequent in chalk districts where the larval foodplant is present but only likely to be encountered when the sun is shining.

Adult moths fly from late May to July, the males fly on sunny afternoons.

The larvae feed on Wild Liquorice during July and August, consuming the pods and the seeds within.

A very local species, occurring mostly in the southern counties of England, and possibly declining. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as pRDB3.

Rare in Leicestershire and Rutland where it’s larval foodplant is uncommon. The Ketton Quarry record of 28th May 2022 is the first confirmed record for VC55.