Hantsmoths

Common in woodland and hedgerows in south Wales and England, as far north as Derbyshire, with isolated records in Northumberland and Westmorland (MBGBI Vol 2). In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight common and fairly widespread. Wingspan 8 mm. Imago similar to P. platanoidella, in which the dorsal strigula forming part of the rudimentary first fascia does not nearly touch and make a straight fascia with the second costal strigula as in P. acerifoliella; the second fascia forms an obtuse angle or a smooth curve, whereas in P. acerifoliella it forms an acute or right angle; the yellow-brown coloration of the pattern is deeper than on P. acerifoliella (MBGBI Vol 2). Also similar to P. geniculella, which see for differences. Imago seldom encountered at light, and more likely to be recorded in the larval stage, when mines are relatively easy to find where they are present. Larva mines leaves of Field Maple, over-wintering as a pupa in a cocoon.