Phyllonorycter geniculella

Wingspan 8 mm. Another beautiful but tiny species, having a white base colour with rufous, darker-edged chevrons, the first of which often 'extrudes' into the next.

Adult Leafmine

Leafmine occurs on Sycamore http://www.leafmines.co.uk/html/Lepidoptera/P.geniculella.htm

It can be found resting on the trunks of Sycamore, but being so small can be difficult to find.

The moths are on the wing in May and August.

The larva feeds in a leaf mine in a Sycamore leaf, sometimes causing it to curl at the edge.

It is a common species over much of Britain. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.

It appears to be uncommon in Leicestershire and Rutland, where there are few records. L&R Moth Group status = D (rare or rarely recorded).