B&F: 0449

ABH: 22.002

Status:  Resident

Distribution/Abundance:  Common

Primary Habitat:  Woodland, Gardens

Wingspan:  14-18mm

Flight Period:  June - July

Observations: Larvae feed on the buds of Ash. The typical form is depicted here, but a darker, fuscous form also exists. From personal experience I encounter this form more frequently in my garden light traps. This darker form is very similar to P. ruficeps, which has recently been recognised in the UK as a distinct species from P. fraxinella. I strongly recommend retaining any dark forms of P. fraxinella for further examination.

Confusion Species:  Dark form closely resembles P. ruficeps

L.O.N.:  Ashton Wold, Wadenhoe, Newton. A handsome and conspicuously marked moth, but with a common variety entirely dark fuscous.

First Record:  1906, Wallis