20.001 BF401

Argyresthia laevigatella

Herrich-Schäffer, 1855

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Wingspan 9-13 mm.

One of the plainer species of Argyresthia, which can be confused with A. glabratella though the latter species is generally slightly smaller.

The two species have different foodplants, laevigatella feeding on larch, usually European larch (Larix decidua) where the larvae feed internally on the terminal shoots, causing them to die off. It can be a pest in larch plantations where it is common.

The moths fly between May and July and can be attracted to light.

The species is distributed widely over much of the British Isles, and is fairly common in places.