Grey Smoke

Luffia lapidella is found in Europe including Belgium, the Channel Islands (where it is common), France, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain, southern Switzerland and the United Kingdom. In the spring of 1981, males were found on the wall of a house in Marazion, Cornwall. More males were bred from larvae found within 0.5 miles (0.80 km) of the house. Similar cases have been found elsewhere in Cornwall, but the identification is uncertain without breeding the larvae.

Imago The moth flies from June to July depending on the location. Females are wingless and unable to fly. the males have wings although not all males can fly. L. lapidella has partial parthenogenesis.

Ovum Eggs are laid in the case and hatch in four to five weeks.

Larva The larvae live in cases and feed on algae and lichen. The cases are covered in lichen and sand, are conical, round in cross-section with a width of 2–3 mm (0.079–0.118 in)) and up to 5–7 mm (0.20–0.28 in)) long. They are found on tree trunks, rocks, walls and frames and have a preference for warm dry places. The caterpillar overwinters in the case and can be found from August to May. The case is at 90° to the substrate.

Pupa Pupa can be found from May to June and are attached to the tree or rock where the larva was feeding.