Phyllonorycter rajella
Wingspan 7 to 9 mm. A variable species, some specimens appearing very dark and some much paler. There is a broad whitish basal streak which is usually quite obvious.
Leafmine occurs on Alder. http://www.leafmines.co.uk/html/Lepidoptera/P.rajella4.htm
Areas where the larval foodplant is present.
Adults fly in two generations; in May and again in August.
The larvae feed on Alder including Italian Alder, creating a small triangular blotch mine on the underside of the leaves.
It is quite a common species throughout the British Isles. In the Butterfly Conservations 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).
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