Eratophyes

Naming

This species was originally described from Turkey as Lampros amasiella by Herrich-Schäffer in 1854. Later, in 1975 it was described again by Diakonoff as "Eratophyes aleatrix" after it had been found in the Netherlands, until it was recognized as being conspecific with Herrich-Schäffer's amasiella.
The Dutch vernacular name "Oosterse schone" (Eastern beauty) refers to the assumed origin in Asia minor. The german vernacular name "Birken-Faulholzmotte" (Birch-rotting wood moth) refers to its biology.

Distribution

The first specimen from western Europe were identified in the Netherlands in 1975, but later research turned up two specimen from Hamburg in a German collection that had already been captured in 1954, but at the time had been misidentified as Lampronia rupella (currently valid name).
The species is assumed to originate from Asia Minor, and having been accidentally introduced in western Europe, most likely as a caterpillar or pupa, with logs. The Netherlands are often cited as site of first introduction in western Europe (as it was redescribed based on a Dutch find) but the older specimen from Hamburg make that uncertain.
In western Europe, it has been known for some time from the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark and Sweden and it has recently been recorded in Belgium (2004) and northern France (2016).

Reproduction

The larvae are thought to live in and feed on decaying birch logs.