Wingspan 6 to 8 mm. The larva mines the leaves of Hornbeam, causing a narrow tentiform mine between two veins; it is strongly contracted and tubular when mature.

P messaniella occasionaly mines hornbeam, but the mine is usually more oval and less contracted; if in doubt check pupal cremaster (re. Bladmineerders.nl)

Adult Leafmine

Photograph upper and lower surfaces of mine; note host

Where Hornbeam, the larval foodplant occurs.

The adults fly in two generations, in May then again during July and August.

Distributed mainly in the south-east of England, P. tenerella has been occasionally found elsewhere, probably as an introduction with the foodplant. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.

It appears to be uncommon in Leicestershire and Rutland, where there are few records. L&R Moth Group status = D (rare or rarely recorded).

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

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