The Moths and Butterflies of Huntingdonshire

General Information

This moth has a purple/brown forewing which is more golden towards the dorsum and a bright silver fascia beyond the middle.

The larvae create a slender winding gallery mine.

Overwinters as Overwinters as a pupa.

Wingspan: 4-5mm.
Foodplant(s): Alder (Alnus glutinosa)
Flying: Two generations, May-June and August
UK Presence: Resident
National status: Common

Regional Information

Recorded in 57 (21.1%) of the 270 2km squares of Huntingdonshire.

Last recorded in September 2021

Recorded date range (Adult): 25 May to 09 July

Recorded date range (Larva/Leafmine): 20 July to 24 November

Similar Species

Leaf mine on Elm

Photo © Barry Dickerson

Stigmella lemniscella (=marginicolella)

Stigmella continuella mine on Birch

Photo © Barry Dickerson

Stigmella continuella

Seghill

Photo © Ian Fisher

Stigmella betulicola

Leaf mine on Hazel

Photo © Barry Dickerson

Stigmella microtheriella

Mine on Birch

Stigmella luteella

Leaf mine on Silver Birch

Stigmella sakhalinella (=distinguenda)

Mine on Italian Alder

Stigmella glutinosae

0115 (ABH4.009) Stigmella alnetella, (Stainton, 1856)

KR00101