Eucosma conterminana

Wingspan 15 to19 mm. The British Eucosma species can be a difficult group to identify, but conterminana is more distinctive, having a pale sandy ground colour and a creamy dorsal blotch.

It inhabits dry and stony or chalky habitats.

The moths fly during July and August when they can be attracted by light.

The larvae feed on Prickly Lettuce, Great Lettuce and cultivated forms of lettuce. Because of this it is sometimes found around arable areas.

It occurs locally in the south and south east of England. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.

Fairly frequent but not common in Leicestershire and Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = B (scarce resident or restricted distribution or regular migrant).