Stigmella plagicolella

Wingspan 4 to 5 mm. They have dark forewings with bronzy and purple sheens and a neat whitish fascia.

Areas where the larval foodplants are found.

The adults are on the wing from May to June and again in August.

The larvae feed on Prunus, mainly Blackthorn creating a roundish blotch which begins as a narrow gallery. These can be found in July and again in September and October.

A fairly common species throughout England, Wales and Ireland. 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).