28.021 BF651

Oecophora bractella

(Linnaeus, 1758)

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Wingspan 12-16 mm.

A highly distinctive species, but rarely encountered in the British Isles. It is restricted to a few ancient woodlands in the midlands and southern England and south Wales.

The moths fly from May to July, sometimes coming to light, but more generally in the early morning. In certain light conditions they reflect vivid blue from metallic scales on the forewing.

The larvae feed on dead and decaying wood, and possibly also on fungus.