Hantsmoths

Local and occasionally numerous around areas with flour, cereals, natural fibres and captive birds such as poultry and doves. More restricted than M. obviella, in maritime areas as far north as Yorkshire and especially in the south-west and Ireland. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight frequent only in the south-east of the county. Wingspan 10-16 mm. Very similar to M. obviella, which has the forewing with a pale yellow, not ochreous, dorsal streak and pale irroration limited to a sprinkling of whitish scales near costa; also, the hindwing of M. obviella is dark fuscous, not pale grey (MBGBI Vol 2). Larva feeds on detritus in bird nests, dry vegetable matter and similar. According to posts on lepiforum.org. the two species are diagnosable based on external characteristics:
Monopis obviella : hind margin of the forewings and forehead crest golden yellow, shiny. 10-12 mm; basic colour of the forewings not very variable, usually quite dark brown.
Monopis crocicapitella : hind margin of the forewings and forehead crest cream to light brown. 12-16 mm; ground colour of the forewings not very variable, usually much lighter than in Monopis obviella .
The two species are actually easy to separate: M. crocicapitella has a more extensive yellow color on the forewing, with yellow fringes and often more or less yellow scales on the costal margin. The black is duller and less clearly defined.