Ash Bud Moth - Prays fraxinella

Wingspan 14-17 mm. The typical form is distinctive and easy to recognise, less so the dark form which closely resemble Prays ruficeps.  In the dark form of Prays fraxinella the markings of the standard form remain faintly visible against the dark wing colouration.

Around wooded areas containing Ash.

The adult is on the wing from June to July although a plainer, darker form is often found into August.

The larvae of this species, as the English name suggests, feed on the buds of Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) in its later stages. As a smaller larva, it mines the leaf.

Quite common with records concentrated in the south and north-west of England. 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)