22.003 BF448a - Praydidae - Prays ruficeps

22.003 BF448a - Praydidae - Prays ruficeps - Cryptic Ash Bud Moth - (Heinemann, 1854)

Adult Micro: CAT 2 - Confusion Species - Leaf-miner: CAT L - The leaf or a Photo required -

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- Rare / Uncommon / Scarce - Leaf Miner

Taxonomy: Micro >> Praydidae

Other Name/s: Dark Ash-bud Moth

ID Difficulty: amber

- care required in the identification process, as confusion with similar species is likely - quality photographs required.
Confusion Species: < Prays fraxinella

ID pointers: Slightly smaller than fraxinella, but with the head being orangey-brown and the thorax and forewings a bland sooty-brown.

Distribution: (Last record: 04/06/2024 at Sandiacre ) - This form has recently been elevated to species status. The current distribution of this species is uncertain as it was only separated from Prays fraxinella by DNA barcoding in 2013. with fraxinella, it is likely to be common across the county where there is Ash. These photographs appear to be the first VC record of this species.

Flight Period: May / June / July / August / September / - On the wing during May-September.

Mine Period: April / May / June / July / August / September / - The larvae feed on Ash (Fraxinus) and feed in a similar manner to Prays fraxinella, initially creating a gallery mine from the mid-vein and then in the twig, bud and young shoot.

*** Last updated on 9 March 2025 by RP ***

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Wingspan: 14-17mm

Food Plant: Ash.

Last Recorded Date: 04/06/2024

Last Recorded By: Emily Milnes

Last Recorded General Area: Sandiacre

No First Date Information Recorded