Morley’s Final Catalogue: Abundant among privet and lilac everywhere, especially near towns. Common in Ipswich; Orford, Aldeburgh, Leiston; frequent on Gorleston palings. In profusion on lilac at dusk in gardens to south of Thetford in August 1931; Brandon (Mly).

Recent Status: A common species across Suffolk.

Life Style: A double brooded species that flies by day and night and comes to light from March to October. The larvae feed on leaves of Ligustrum, Fraxinus and Syringa. They pupate under a silken membrane on the underside of a leaf. The second brood passes the winter as a pupa.

Identification: A moth of the Gracillariinae that stands erect on its front legs. The moth markings are very varied. They have a balance of dark edged brown bands on a cream background. The shades vary and the dominance of one or other can result in clearly marked pale specimens or overall dull specimens. The dull specimens need careful examination to separate them from Caloptilia species without banding. The larvae initially mine the lower epidermis before creating a full depth blotch. They leave this for two successive rolled or pod shaped spun enclosures before pupation. More Info

Recorded in 49 (84%) of 58 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1931.
Last Recorded in 2023.