49.179 BF1080

Olethreutes arcuella

(Clerck, 1759)

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Wingspan 14-18 mm.

This is a highly distinctive species, with its orange-rufous ground colour, metallic blue-grey streaks and yellow patches.

It has a wide but scattered distribution throughout England and Wales, and is generally scarce. It is rare in Scotland and Ireland.

Occupying woodland and heaths, the adults fly between late May and August, and are on the wing during the day.

The larvae feed on leaf-litter and withered leaves of low plants.