Food Plant: Molinia caerulea (Purple Moor-grass)

Egg: laid near the tip of a leaf

Mine: August-April

Notes: Initially makes a short mine towards the leaf tip which then turns downwards and makes a full depth flat mine, with smooth sides, which gradually broadens. The larva lives in a faint central frass-lined silk tube. It is fully fed in the autumn, but hibernates in the mine, emerging to pupate in April. Found on heaths and moorland throughout Britain. The habitat is shown.

Data: 14.ix,2025, Llantrisant Common, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Glamorganshire, VC41

Image:© George Tordoff