Parectopa ononidis

Wingspan about 8 mm.  The adult moths are quite distinctive, though rarely encountered.

Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required. As this is a rare species in our area it would be useful to hold on to the specimen until identification is confirmed.

Prefers chalky downland and coastal areas.

Adults fly in two, possibly three generations between May and August.

The larvae mine the leaves of clover including both Red Clover and White Clover, as well as Restharrow.  The mine begins as a gallery on the underside of a leaf and later becomes a blotch on the upperside. Larvae are to be found in July and from September onwards, overwintering.

A rather scarce and local species, occurring in parts of southern England and the south Midlands. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as Nationally Scarce B.

Rarely recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland