35.154 BF763

Xenolechia aethiops

(Humphreys & Westwood, 1845)

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Wingspan c. 18mm.

This somewhat unassuming species is an inhabitant of moors and heathland and is distributed fairly widely across much of Britain.

The adults, which fly in May and June can be difficult to distinguish visually from dark individuals of similar Gelechiidae, and it may be prudent to resort to dissection to be confident of identification, although habitat is a good pointer

The larvae feed on heath (Erica), leaf-mining at first, and later in a silken gallery amongst the leaves.