43.008 BF920a

Scythris inspersella

(Hübner, [1817])

Wingspan c. 14 mm.

A recently discovered species in the British Isles, having been first found in North Norfolk in 1977, though not identified until 1980, when it was found to be quite common in its favoured locality. More recently, a colony has been discovered in Yorkshire, and perhaps it will appear elsewhere, as the foodplants are quite common.

The adult moths fly during the day, especially in sunshine, visiting flowers of the foodplant. They are on the wing in July and August.

The larvae feed on rosebay willowherb (Chamerion angustifolium) as well as other willhowherbs (Epilobium spp.), spinning the terminal shoots together.