Nepticulidae

0034 (ABH4.099) Ectoedemia occultella (=argentipedella), (Linnaeus, 1767)

KR00307

Collage Valley, Northumberland
Collage Valley, Northumberland
 Photo © Ian Fisher
Collage Valley, Northumberland
 Photo © Ian Fisher
 pre-2000
 2000-2009
 2010-2019
 2020-onwards
Mines on Silver Birch
Mines on Silver Birch
 Photo © Barry Dickerson


General Information

This moth has a blackish ground colour with a whitish fascia and whitish eyecaps.

 

The larvae form a distinctive leafmine consisting of a larger pale blotch with a darker central circle. There are sometimes several mines in one leaf.

Overwinters as Overwinters as a pupa.

Wingspan: 5-7 mm.
Foodplant(s): birches (Betula spp.)
Flying: One generation, May-July
UK Presence: Resident
National status: Common

Habitat

Birch woodland and other areas where the foodplant is found.

Regional Information

Recorded in 76 (28.1%) of the 270 2km squares of Huntingdonshire.

Last recorded in November 2023

Recorded date range (Adult): 09 May to 07 July

Recorded date range (Larva/Leafmine): 07 August to 28 November

Similar Species


Larva/Leafmine:
Larva Type:
Colours:
Grey, Black, Green, Brown