Cherry Fruit Moth - Argyresthia pruniella

Wingspan 10 to 13 mm. A small brown and white species that is similar to many others in the genus.

Cherry orchards and around cherry trees. If you look closely at a cherry tree on a calm evening in July, you may find a number of these moths flitting around and resting distinctively 'nose-down' on the leaves.

Late June and July.

The larvae feed internally in the cherries themselves. For this reason it can be a nuisance in orchards.

It is widespread and common throughout 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).