Phyllonorycter nigrescentella is a moth of the family Gracillariidae. It is known from all of Europe except the Balkan Peninsula.
The wingspan is 7–9 mm.[1] The head is fuscous, face leaden-metallic. Forewings golden-ochreous, sometimes more or less suffused with fuscous or dark fuscous; a silvery-white dark-edged median streak from base to 1/3; a curved fascia before middle, three posterior costal and two dorsal triangular spots silvery-white, dark-margined; a blackish apical spot. Hindwings are rather dark grey. The larva is yellowish; dorsal line dark green; head very pale brownish.[2]
The larvae feed on Lathyrus vernus, Lotus, Medicago, Trifolium alpestre, Trifolium medium, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Trifolium rubens, Vicia dumetorum, Vicia sativa and Vicia sepium.[3]