Cork Moth

This small moth has a wingspan of 10–18 mm. The forewings are irregularly mottled black, brown, white and grey, resembling close relatives such as the European corn moth (N. granella). The head has a tuft of pale yellow hairs. The antennae are wire-shaped and about two-thirds as long as the front wings. The thorax is grey. The wing fringes on the forewing are alternately grey and white. The hind wings are dark grey-brown. The larva is white to pink with a reddish-brown head. The neck plate is also reddish-brown.

Nemapogon cloacella is a widespread species, found all across the western Palearctic and North America, where it has recently been recorded from British Columbia. It is reportedly absent from France, but given that it occurs in all surrounding countries, this is unlikely to be correct. Its preferred habitat is woodland with a large amount of dead trees. The crepuscular adults are on the wing throughout the summer and are typically encountered at dusk but sometimes can be seen earlier in the day.