Food Plant: Crataegus spp., (Hawthorn), Prunus spinosa (Blackthorn), Prunus spp., Cotoneaster spp.

Egg: laid on a twig

Mine: September-June

Notes: Each larva initially makes a small full depth blotch and there may be several larvae in a leaf (as shown). They then feed externally in a communal web before finally mining again and overwintering, as young larvae, in a spun hibernaculum. The leaf falls to the ground and, in the spring, the larve recommence feeding - at first by mining and then communally in a web. The pupa is formed in the web, without a cocoon. The larvae are a reddish-brown colour (as shown). A common moth in the Southern Counties.

National Status: Common

Bradley No: 450

Data: 05.ix.2015, Chorlton, Manchester, VC 59

Image:© Ben Smart