45.04 BF1518

Hellinsia lienigianus
Mugwort Plume

(Zeller, 1852)

Wingspan 17-21 mm.

A local species, occurring in much of England, becoming scarcer in the northern part of its range.

It inhabits coastal areas, dry pastures and waste ground, and flies mainly in July.

The larvae live mostly on mugwort (Artemesia vulgaris), forming a silken 'tent' on a leaf, within which the caterpillar feeds before moving onto another.