Agonopterix heracliana

Wingspan 15 to 21 mm. Part of a group of very similar looking species. Identification can be difficult but Agonopterix heracliana can be separated from Agonopterix ciliella by checking the hindwing.   Agonopterix ciliella has five brownish lines in the cilia near the base of the hindwing.  Agonopterix heracliana only has one.  Where these checks have not been carried out records should be added to the Agonopterix heracliana agg. page.

Records must include an image of the hindwing. Agonopterix ciliella has five brownish lines in the cilia near the base of the hindwing.  Agonopterix heracliana only has one. 

Gardens, waste ground, woodland edges and a wide range of other habitats.

This moth can be found on the wing any time from September through to April.

The larvae spin the leaves of a variety of umbelliferous plants, occurring between May and July.

A common species throughout most of Britain. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.

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