Neofaculta ericetella

Neofaculta ericetella is a moth of the family Gelechiidae. It is found in Europe and Asia Minor.

A sprig of Erica with a larva protruding from a flower

Larva

Neofaculta ericetella
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Gelechiidae
Genus:	Neofaculta
Species:	N. ericetella
Binomial name
Neofaculta ericetella (Geyer, 1832)
Synonyms
Tinea ericetella Geyer, [1832] Lita gallinella Treitschke, 1833 Anacampsis lanceolella Stephens, 1834 Acompsia fuscella Duponchel, 1844 Acompsia subatrella Duponchel, [1846] Gelechia orcella Zerny, 1927 Gelechia atlanticella Amsel, 1938 Gelechia tenalella Amsel, 1938 Gelechia ericetella ab. amseli Dufrane, 1955 Gelechia pyrenemontana Dufrane, 1955 Gelechia simplicella Heinemann, 1870 Anacampsis quinquemaculella Bruand, 1859

The wingspan is 13–18 mm. The terminal joint of palpi shorter than second. Forewings from pale fuscous- grey to dark fuscous, sometimes whitish-sprinkled; a blackish spot in disc at 1/4; stigmata blackish, often elongate, partly white margined, first discal beyond plical; distinct black terminal dots; a more or less marked dark tornal spot. Hindwings over 1, light grey. The larva is dull greenish; dorsal and subdorsal lines pale dull reddish; 3 and 4 with dark red subdorsal spots; head pale brown; 2 whitish-green, grey-speckled.^[1][2][3][4]

The moths are on wing from April to July depending on the location.

The larvae feed on Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea and Rhododendron species.