Phyllonorycter ulicicolella

Wingspan 6 to 7 mm. 

In VC55, the larvae seem to prefer Western Gorse (Ulex gallii), which is smaller and softer than the common Gorse (Ulex europaeus).  The mines are hard to find - look for a yellowing, slighting distorted and swollen section of stem and side-shoot below the shoot tip.  The larva is yellow with a dark head.

Adults are similar to many other Phyllonorycter species.

Adult Leafmine

Adult: Gen det required for adults of this species unless reared from the larval mine.

Leafmine: Good photographs required showing the mine and the larva (the mine must be opened to show the larva inside). Please also state the host plant.

Found in heathland and grassland where species of gorse are present.

Adult moths are on the wing from June to August.

The larva mines shoots and spines of gorse (Ulex). 

Widespread in England but the species seems to be quite uncommon. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as Nationally Scarce B.

Rarely recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.  

http://www.leafmines.co.uk/html/Lepidoptera/P.ulicicolella.htm

https://bladmineerders.nl/parasites/animalia/arthropoda/insecta/lepidoptera/ditrysia/gracillarioidea/gracillariidae/lithocolletinae/phyllonorycter/phyllonorycter-ulicicolella/