Food Plant: Genista pilosa (Hairy Greenweed)

Egg: on the upper surface of a leaf

Mine: May-June, July-August, September-October

Notes: Initially makes a small flat, greenish-white mine, which stains red close to the egg. It then spins the leaf, which folds upwards forming a pod (as shown). A very rare leafminer found in 1984 by Bob Heckford on the North Coast of Cornwall. The moth may have a very narrow range due to the scarcity of its foodplant in the UK. The larva from an early mine is shown.

Data: 14.vii.2026, Chapel Porth, Cornwall, VC1

Image:© Finley Hutchinson