Stigmella plagicolella

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

Adult Leafmine

Leafmine occurs on Blackthorn. http://www.leafmines.co.uk/html/Lepidoptera/S.plagicolella2.htm

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).