Wingspan 5 to 8 mm. This well-marked moth is one of the few of this group recognisable by forewing markings alone.

Adult Larval mine

Leafmine occurs in the keys of Sycamore and certain other Acer species. https://bladmineerders.nl/parasites/animalia/arthropoda/insecta/lepidoptera/monotrysia/nepticuloidea/nepticulidae/etainia/etainia-decentella/

They may often be found resting on sycamore trunks, and are also attracted to light.

The adults emerge in two generations, in June and August.

The larvae form slender mines within Sycamore seeds.

Thinly distributed throughout much of England. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as Nationally Scarce B.

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