Luffia lapidella

In VC55, only the self-fertile wingless form is known (f. ferchaultella), which was previously considered a separate species. In the UK the nominate sexually reproducing form is only known from Cornwall.

Dampish, shady places with lichen covered tree trunks, posts, branches, or rocks.

May to July.

The cased larvae feed, often gregariously, on lichen on tree trunks and, sometimes, on posts, sloe branches, or rocks. After the moth has emerged, the empty cases, about 6mm long, remain fully exposed on the trunk into the following spring when they can alert attention to the presence of the smaller occupied cases, often concealed in crevices.

Widespread and locally abundant in southern Britain. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.

Very likely underrecorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.