Stigmella trimaculella

A tiny moth with a wingspan of 5 to 6 mm. The adults are rather attractive, with brownish grey forewings each with three creamy patches.

Areas where the larval foodplant is present.

They fly in May and again in August.

The larvae mine the leaves of Poplar (Populus), with variable characteristics, but usually beginning with a narrow black central line of frass. The mines are found in late June and July and from September to October.

Distributed throughout England, where it is fairly common except in the west; there are records from Scotland and Wales, but very few. 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 (rare or rarely recorded).