About Micropterix aureatella (Scopoli, 1763)
Micropterix aureatella (Scopoli, 1763) has a wingspan ranging from 9 to 11 millimetres (0.35 to 0.43 inches). Its head is light ferruginous in colour. The forewings are shining bronzy-purple, with three distinct pale shining golden markings: a straight fascia towards the base, a rather oblique, somewhat bent median fascia, and a spot towards the posterior costa. The termen of the forewings is always bronzy-purple. The hindwings are bronzy-grey, with a purplish tinge towards the posterior. Adult Micropterix aureatella have functional working mandibles, and they feed on pollen from a variety of flowers, with a particular preference for the flowers of sedges (Carex species). Only one larva of this species has ever been found; it was discovered among fungal hyphae in mixed leaf litter from beech, bilberry, and oak. It is believed that larvae of this species feed on bilberry (Vaccinium species). The pupa of Micropterix aureatella remains unknown.
