15.065 BF343

Phyllonorycter esperella

(Goeze, 1783)

[Synonyms: Phyllonorycter quinnata]

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Wingspan 7-9 mm.

A local species, mainly found in the south and south-east of England northwards to the midlands. The individual illustrated was found in South Yorkshire, the most northerly record to date, and the first for the county.

The larvae feed on hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) and the species is one of the few creating a mine on the upperside of the leaf. The mine is a blotch with a papery upper surface, and causes the leaf to fold over strongly.

The adults emerge, like many other Phyllonorycters, in May and again in August as a second brood.