Caloptilia rufipennella

Wingspan 11 to 12 mm. One of several similar species, which can usually be identified by its smaller size and whitish band on the chocolate-brown forelegs. Wherever Acer species are present, notably Field Maple, Sycamore or Norway Maple. The moths emerge in August and overwinter, reappearing in the following spring. Has been recorded on various Acer spp., including Field Maple, Sycamore and Norway Maple. Caloptilia sp. cones on Acer spp. are no longer considered to be reliably identifiable without rearing to adult for det. This follows the colonisation of Caloptilia honoratella and the re-colonisation of Caloptilia hemidactylella, a re-appraisal of foodplant preferences, plus potential for colonisation by other European Acer-feeding Caloptilia spp. Plant C, (2022), The Status of Caloptilia honoratella (Rebel, 1914) and Caloptilia hemidactylella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1774) in Britain with a note on two similar additional Acer-feeding Caloptilia that might appear in Britain (Lep,; Gracillariidae). Entomologist's Rec. J. Var. 134;1, 21-39 The species was only discovered in Britain in 1970, and had a scattered northern and eastern distribution, but is now expanding its range and is fairly common in much of England and Scotland. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.