Phycitodes binaevella

Wingspan 22-27 mm. The easiest of the three British species of Phycitodes to identify; it is the largest and has large blackish dots on a paler ground colour. The resting posture where the wings are rolled tightly around the body is common to the group.

Favouring areas where the larval food plant is present.

The single generation flies in July and August.

The larvae feed inside the flower heads of Spear Thistle

It occurs fairly frequently throughout England and Ireland. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.

Fairly frequent but not common in Leicestershire & Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = B (scarce resident or restricted distribution or regular migrant)