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Little Grey Eudonia lacustrata

The Little Grey is widely distributed all over England, Wales and Ireland and is also found in southern parts of Scotland. In the Benelux the species is not very common, though. It is a very small species, having a wingspan of up to 18 mm only. The larvae feed on mosses and lychens, usually those growing on tree trunks, rocks and walls. The species flies about in June and July mainly. It is extremely similar to some other species, including the Ground-moss Grey and the Brown Grey. Characteristics for the three species are as follows:

The black spot resembling an x, usually looks like an x, just like it does in the Brown Grey. However in the Little Grey it does look more like a c. The wings of Brown Grey are broader than those of the other two species. The dark line just in front of the white is best developed in the Little Grey, less so in Brown Grey and least in the Ground-moss Grey. Compared to the Brown Grey the Ground-moss Grey is rather black and white lacking brownish tones so visible in the Brown Grey. The Ground-moss Grey doesn't fly in May and the first half of June, the Brown Grey however does.
Do keep in mind though that you can never be sure, for especially the Brown Grey is very variable. The only way to tell them apart for sure is by examining the genitals. And when you are a beginner do take good pictures and present them to experienced microlepidopterists, or on a good forum on the internet.

Scientifically the Little Grey is also known as Dipleurina lacustrata, Dipleurina crataegella and Dipleurina centurionalis.