Eriocrania unimaculella

Wingspan 10mm. This species has a silvery, rather than golden, tornal spot which can help distinguish it from similar species; however the adults can be very difficult to tell apart and it is best to rear from larvae or to refer to genitalia for identification.

Around Birch.

The adults fly in sunshine during March and April.

The larvae feed on Birch, causing a blotch at the edge of the leaf. The larva when fully developed has a dark brown head capsule, the base of which shows as two dark spots. Mines can be found during late April to late May.

Well distributed over much of Britain but not particularly common. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.

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