Phyllonorycter maestingella
Phyllonorycter maestingella
Adult • Whipsnade, Bedfordshire • © Charles Baker

15.063 BF341

Phyllonorycter maestingella

(Müller, 1764)


Wingspan 7-9 mm.

A clear indication that some of the smaller moths are the most beautiful, this tiny moth has an intricate pattern of orange-brown, white and black, but is easily overlooked.

It is common throughout Britain, and has two broods, flying in May and June, and again in August.

The larva creates a long blotch mine on the underside of leaves of beech (Fagus sylvatica), usually between two veins from midrib almost to leaf edge.
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