Bucculatrix nigricomella

Wingspan 7 to 8 mm. A small, but fairly distinctive member of the Bucculatrix genus, with its general dark colouration with diffuse paler markings, and noticeable whitish eye-caps.

Adult Leafmine

Where Oxeye Daisy is present.

The adults have two generations, flying in April and May and again in late July and August.

The larvae mine the leaves of Oxeye Daisy creating a long, meandering gallery containing narrow blackish frass. In later instars, the larva feeds externally.

It is widely distributed over much of the British Isles, though absent in some places. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.

It appears to be uncommon in Leicestershire and Rutland, where there are few records. L&R Moth Group status = D (rare or rarely recorded).