Ectoedemia atricollis

Wingspan 5 to 6 mm.

The larvae mine the leaves of Hawthorn, Apple and other Rosaceae species.  It has a distinctive black head, usually visible in the mine without being dissected out.  Initially, the larvae form galleries along the edge of the leaf, leading to a large blotch on the leaf margin.

The leaf mines are similar to Bohemannia pulverosella, Stigmella hybnerella and Stigmella regiella

Adult Leafmine

Vacated mines can be difficult; we recommend recording this as a tenanted mine. Photos should show the black head of the larva.

Areas where the larval foodplants are present.

The adult moths emerge in a single generation in June.

The larvae of this species form mines on Hawthorn, Apple, Pear and Wild Cherry. 

Widespread throughout England and Wales. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.

Occasional in Leicestershire and Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = C (very scarce resident or rare migrant).

http://www.leafmines.co.uk/html/Lepidoptera/E.atricollis.htm

https://bladmineerders.nl/parasites/animalia/arthropoda/insecta/lepidoptera/monotrysia/nepticuloidea/nepticulidae/ectoedemia/ectoedemia-atricollis/