Hawthorn Moth - Scythropia crataegella

Wingspan 11 to 15 mm. A small generally whitish moth, with dark markings which may vary in colour but often reddish.

Around areas where the larval foodplants occur.

This species is on the wing in June and July, when it can be attracted to light.

The larvae feed communally in a silken web spun on Hawthorn after initially mining the leaves. Other foodplants include Blackthorn and Cotoneaster.

Fairly common in the southern half of Britain but not occurring north of Yorkshire. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.

Fairly common in Leicestershire and Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = A (common and resident).