Harpella forficella

This is a very distinctively marked brown and cream moth.

Well wooded areas.

It has been recorded in Britain in July and August. Adults fly in the afternoon and early evening and again at dawn, and can also be attracted to light.

This species is widely distributed on the continent, where it's larvae are found in the dead wood of deciduous trees often under loose bark. Its larvae are also said to feed on Cramp Ball / King Alfred's Cake fungus.

Very rare in Britain. The first record for this species in the UK was on 19th August 2011 in Wokingham, Berks; the second UK record was on 27th July 2012 in Sussex. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as an adventive.

Very rare in Leicestershire and Rutland. The Outwoods record of 18th August 2012 is the first for VC55 and possibly only the third British record. L&R Moth Group status = D (rare or rarely recorded).