Depressaria badiella

Wingspan about 20 mm.

This species prefers dry, sandy or chalky ground.

The adult moths fly in a single generation between July and September, and come to light.

The larvae occur from May to July and feed on Cat's ear (Hypochoeris radicata), Perennial Sow-thistle (Sonchus arvensis) or Dandelion (Taraxacum), initially between spun leaves and later amongst the roots.

A relatively local species with a scattered distribution over much of the British Isles. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.

It appears to be uncommon in Leicestershire and Rutland, where there are few records. L&R Moth Group status = D (rare or rarely recorded).