Bird-cherry Ermine - Yponomeuta evonymella

Wingspan 16-25 mm. Some members of the small 'Ermines' are difficult to separate visually but this species is one of the easiest by having five rows of black dots on the forewing.

Woodland and scrub favouring Bird Cherry (Prunus padus).

Nocturnal, it flies during July and August.

The larvae feed on the leaves of Bird Cherry (Prunus padus) and can occur in pest numbers, completely stripping the plant.

Common throughout much of the British Isles, more numerous in the north. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.

Fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = B (scarce resident or restricted distribution or regular migrant)