Orthotelia sparganella

Wingspan 20 to 28 mm. A fairly distinctive species, with a rather tent like body shape and with an ochreous or brownish wing colour that usually has noticeably paler venation and a faint row of darker dots near the dorsal edge of the wing.

Occupies wet localities such as ponds and canals.

The adults fly in July and August and come sparingly to light.

Bur-reed (Sparganium) is the main foodplant, although other reeds and rushes are used. The larvae feed inside the stems.

It is locally distributed from southern England northwards to southern Scotland. 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).