32.009 BF691

Agonopterix purpurea

(Haworth, 1811)

---

Wingspan c. 13mm.

A relatively local species, occurring mostly in the southern half of England and Wales, with a scattered distribution in Ireland, and occupying rather dry, grassy habitats.

It is one of the smallest of the Agonopterix genus, but also one of the more distinctively coloured and patterned.

In late summer and autumn, the larva feeds in rolled leaves of cow parsley (Anthriscus), wild carrot (Daucus carota) among other species, and the adults emerge from August, overwintering and reappearing in spring.