banner
Line Line
back
Long-winged Pearl Perinephela lancealis

The very long and pointed wings and the clear markings on the front wing make it hard to believe this is a Pyralid at all. Given the size (it has a wingspan of 30 to 35 mm) it is no wonder the Long-winged Pearl baffles everyone who sees it for the first time. Once you have realized it is 'just' a Pyralid, things get easier, for this is an unmistakable species. During the day it hides in dense vegetation and is hard to find. Photographing it is even more difficult, for it is easily disturbed. The larvae feed on hemp agrimony mainly. The Long-winged Pearl is a local species in England and Wales, rare in Ireland.