Phyllonorycter quercifoliella

Wingspan 7 to 9 mm. At first glance the adult can appear devoid of markings, but on closer scrutiny, the pale greyish strigulae can be seen, as can the diagnostic basal streak, which usually extends more than half the forewing length.

Areas where Oak is plentiful.

The moths are on the wing in April and May, and again in August and September.

The larval mine is a small blotch on the underside of a leaf of Oak.

Probably the commonest of the oak-feeding Phyllonorycters, this species is frequent throughout most of the British Isles. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.

Occasional in Leicestershire and Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = C (very scarce resident or rare migrant).