Parornix torquillella

Wingspan 9 to 10 mm. The adults are difficult to separate from some Parornix species, especially Parornix finitimella, and genitalia examination is usually necessary to identify them.

Areas where Blackthorn is present.

The moths fly from May to July, and are sometimes attracted to light.

The main foodplant of this species is Blackthorn in common with its close relative, Parornix finitimella. It is rather difficult to distinguish the two mines, but the larvae are quite different; the present species is green with green legs, P. finitimella grey with blackish legs.

Widespread and fairly frequent in 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 Possibly rarely recorded due to problems of identification.