49.119 BF940

Aethes rutilana

(Hübner, [1817])

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Wingspan c. 10mm.

One of the smallest but brightest-coloured Aethes species, this is a rare and local moth, once found in parts of southern England, where it does not appear to have been noted since 1961 and is thought to be extinct there. In 1983 was then discovered in Scotland, in Wester Ross, and then in May 2011 found elsewhere in Scotland at Arkle, West Sutherland

The larvae feed in a slight web on the prostrate form of common juniper (Juniperus communis ssp. nana) in Scotland. The localities it has been found in are mountainous, windswept regions, though previous habitats in southern England were considerably different.

Adult moths fly in July and August.