Leucoptera spartifoliella
Alternative names
Broom Bent-wing
Description
Wingspan 7 to 9 mm. A tiny, whitish moth with brown and silvery markings near the tip of the tail.
Identification difficulty

Habitat
Where Broom, the larval foodplant, is present.
When to see it
The adults fly during June and July.
Life History
The larvae feed under the bark of twigs of broom (Cytisus scoparius). The mines are very hard to detect, but in late spring, the small white pupal cocoons are easy to spot among the dark stems.
UK Status
In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.
VC55 Status
Occasional in Leicestershire and Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = C (very scarce resident or rare migrant).
Reference
21.005 BF256
Leicestershire & Rutland Map
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MAP KEY:
Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015