Nepticulidae

0100 (ABH4.026) Stigmella oxyacanthella, (Stainton, 1854)

KR00130

Leaf mine on Hawthorn
Leaf mine on Hawthorn
 Photo © Barry Dickerson
Leaf mine on Hawthorn
 Photo © Barry Dickerson
 pre-2000
 2000-2009
 2010-2019
 2020-onwards
Leaf mine on Apple
Leaf mine on Apple
 Photo © Barry Dickerson


General Information

This moth has an orange head and deep purple-brown forewings which are darker beyond the middle.

 

The larvae produce a mine which is initially narrow with linear frass bt which becomes wider with red frass. The mine can often be confused with that produced by S. crataegella.

Overwinters as Overwinters as a pupa.

Wingspan: 5-6 mm.
Foodplant(s): hawthorns (Crataegus spp.), Apple (Malus domestica), pears (Pyrus spp.), cotoneasters (Cotoneaster spp.), Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia)
Flying: One generation, June
UK Presence: Resident
National status: Common

Regional Information

Recorded in 261 (96.7%) of the 270 2km squares of Huntingdonshire.

Last recorded in November 2023

Recorded date range (Adult): 18 May to 30 October

Recorded date range (Larva/Leafmine): 16 July to 29 November

Similar Species
Leaf mine on Apple
Leaf mine on Apple
 Photo © Barry Dickerson
Apple Pygmy Stigmella malella


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