Phyllonorycter blancardella

Wingspan 6 to 9 mm. A fairly variable species, with the white streaks sometimes joining together to form more complete markings, and often with a dusky sprinkling of blackish scales on the orange ground colour.

Adult gen det required  Leafmine larva from tenanted mine must be reared through and the resulting adult confirmed by gen det

Where Apple trees are found.

The adults emerge in May, and again in August.

The larvae feed on the leaves of Apple (Malus), creating a blotch mine usually between two veins.

The species is quite commonly distributed in England and Wales, scarcer in southern Scotland and Ireland. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.

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