35.095 BF791

Chionodes distinctella

(Zeller, 1839)

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Wingspan 14 - 15mm.

A widespread but local species (Nationally Scarce A), occurring both inland and on the coast of southern England. In northern England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland it is very local and has been recorded on the coast only. It occurs on downland, coastal shingle, breckland, sand dunes and other sandy habitats.

It is single-brooded, flying from late June to mid-August. The larva feeds from a sand-covered, silken tube vertically attached to moss that is touching the upper leaves of Bird?s-foot-trefoil (Lotus corniculatus).

The rich-brown forewing has quite well-defined blackish areas with white scales around the stigmata ("Chionodes" from the Greek for "snowy" to describe these white areas). Due to the range of variation in each of the British species of Chionodes they are best separated by dissection.