Hantsmoths

Considered probably extinct in the British Isles*, formerly in damp hedgerows and woodland edges at a few sites in southern England. It was re-discovered at Arne, Dorset in 1976 by J M Chalmers-Hunt after not having been seen since 1901 (when one was taken at Shalbourne, Wilts), but there have been no subsequent reports ((see Ent Rec entry). However it is obviously a very elusive insect and may well be present at low density at such sites. The larva makes a large blotch mine, often occupying the whole of the underside of a leaf of Vicia sepium (other pabula are used on the continent) in August and September, and hiding in a silk tube along the midrib. Many larvae can colonise a single plant. Wingspan 9-9.5 mm. Can only be distinguished from C. zieglerella with care.
* Koster, S. J. C. & S. Yu. Sinev (2003) : Momphidae, Batrachedridae, Stathmopodidae, Agonoxenidae, Cosmopterigidae, Chrysopeleiidae. — In: Huemer, P., Karsholt, O. & L. Lyneborg [ed.] : Microlepidoptera of Europe 5 : 1-387. Stenstrup (Apollo Books)