16.007 BF430

Yponomeuta plumbella

([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

Wingspan 16-20 mm.

One of the more easily recognisable Yponomeuta species, with a distinct black spot centrally on the forewing and blackish patch at the wingtip.

The species is distributed in England and Wales, and southern Ireland, but does not occur further north.

There are two generations, with moths on the wing in April and May, and again in August. It is attracted to light.

Spindle (Euonymus europaeus) is the larval foodplant, the caterpillars mining the leaves initially, later living gregariously in a silken web.