Gracillaria syringella

Wingspan 10-13 mm. This is another distinctive Caloptilia. Although quite variable, this is the best marked of the group.

Adult Leafmine

Leafmine occurs on Privet, Ash, Jasmine and Lilac http://www.leafmines.co.uk/html/Lepidoptera/C.syringella.htm

Gardens and woodland.

The adults fly in May and again in July.

The larvae feed on Privet and Lilac and can be a pest in gardens. Often, many leaves on a single bush turn brown and curl up with the mines.

A common species throughout Britain. They and can be very common indeed where the mines are to be found. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.

Now seems to be fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland.