Pine Leaf-mining Moth - Clavigesta purdeyi

Wingspan 10-12 mm. Quite a small but brightly coloured Tortrix.

Various habitats but preferring areas with Pine.

Flying from July to September, the adults are attracted to light.

The larvae feed internally on the needles of Pine, overwintering in this stage.

This moth, in common with some other coniferous-feeding species, has expanded its range during the last century. Earlier only occurring in southern England, it is now widely distributed in England and Wales though still not particularly common. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.

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