B&F: 0199

ABH: 12.047

Status:  Resident

Distribution/Abundance:  Scarce

Primary Habitat:  Woodland

Wingspan:  9-12mm

Flight Period:  June - July

Observations:  Larva mines mature fern fronds, usually Hartstongue Fern, and makes a case resembling a displaced spore body. The species is apparently scattered throughout the south-west of the UK, but was only recorded in VC32 following a request by David Manning for recorders to search the larval foodplant. Subsequently records were received from Kingsthorpe, (SP76) by Tony Richardson, Rothwell Gullet NR (SP88) by John Showers, Kelmarsh Estate, Old Rail Tunnel (SP78) by James Skinner.

Confusion Species: Psychoides filicivora (NB: larva of P. verhuella has black head)

L.O.N.:  N/A

First Record:  2013, Richardson