43.010 BF916

Scythris siccella

(Zeller, 1839)

Wingspan c. 9mm.

One of the smallest of the British Scythrididae, this is a very local species, occurring only at Chesil Beach in Dorset, although there is at least one older record from Suffolk.

It is a species of dry sandy habitats and flies in July during the day when it can be found on flowers.

The larva feeds on a number of low foodplants growing in sandy conditions, and forms a tube manufactured from sand grains and silk.