Roeslerstammia erxlebella

Wingspan c.13mm. This distinctive metallic-golden micro has when fresh, a purplish-bronze tinge to the area around the base of the forewings. It also sports a noticeably yellow crown and has a white band close to the tip of the antennae.

Well wooded areas containing Lime and Birch.

There are two generations, at least in the south of the range, with adults on the wing in May and June and again in August and September.

The larvae feed on the leaves of Lime and Birch, mining the leaves when young.

Mainly distributed in the southern half of England, there are also scattered localities in Wales and in Scotland where the species occurs. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.

It is uncommon in Leicestershire and Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = D (rare or rarely recorded)