General comments:
Widespread and generally common.

A long and narrow moth at rest that is moderately distinctive. The caterpillar feeds inside hawthorn berries, apparently not spinning berries together (a distinctive feature of the feeding larvae of the tortrix Grapholita janthinana). The caterpillar of hellerella feeds without frass exuding from the berry. A brownish spot on the berry betrays its presence. The larva of janthinana matures to a dark brownish colour whilst that of hellerella is yellowish, often with a pinkish tinge. Caution is required as some Diptera also feed in hawthorn berries - just remember that flies have maggots and so no legs; moths have caterpillars and so legs will always be present.

Recorded in 32 (78%) of 41 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1900.
Last Recorded in 2023.