Variable Smudge

Ypsolopha ustella, the variable ypsolopha moth, is a moth of the family Ypsolophidae. It is found in most of Europe and is also present in North America.

The wingspan is 15–20 mm. It is a variable species with numerous colour forms. Meyrick describes it - Head ferruginous ochreous or grey. Forewings narrower than in Ypsolopha parenthesella, pale grey or pale greyish-ochreous to deep ferruginous-ochreons or dark bronzy; sometimes several small darker spots, or indistinct longitudinal streaks of whitish irroration, or a dark fuscous median longitudinal streak from base to apex; a dark fuscous dot above tornus; a costal patch of thickened membrane between 11 and 12. Hindwings are grey. The larva is green; spots darker.