Stigmella tityrella

Wingspan 5 to 6 mm. Another of the very similar Nepticulidae, which are best identified by the nature of the larval feeding pattern, usually creating diagnostically-shaped mines in leaves. This species feeds on beech (Fagus sylvatica), creating an S-shaped mine that starts at a leaf axil and heads outwards, usually within the confines of two veins.

The mine of Stigmella hemargyrella usually starts near the leaf margin and winds towards the centre.

Adult Leafmine

Areas where Beech is found.

The adults fly in April and May, and again in July and August.

Widespread and fairly common over much of the British Isles. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.

Fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland.

http://www.leafmines.co.uk/html/Lepidoptera/S.tityrella.htm

https://bladmineerders.nl/parasites/animalia/arthropoda/insecta/lepidoptera/monotrysia/nepticuloidea/nepticulidae/stigmella/stigmella-tityrella/