15.006 BF284 - Gracillariidae - Gracillariinae - Caloptilia rufipennella

15.006 BF284 - Gracillariidae - Gracillariinae - Caloptilia rufipennella - Rufous Stilt - (Hübner, 1796)

Adult Micro: CAT 2 - Confusion Species - Leaf-miner: CAT A - Recorded accepted without the leaf or a photo -

- click for Verification Guidelines

- Rare / Uncommon / Scarce - Leaf Miner

Taxonomy: Micro >> Gracillariidae

Other Name/s: Small Red Slender

ID Difficulty: amber

- care required in the identification process, as confusion with similar species is likely - quality photographs required.

ID pointers: A characteristic resting pose, with the body raised on the front legs. The forewing is a glossy orange-brown or red-brown A distinctive white band on chocolate brown forelegs and small size help to distinguish from other similar species.

Distribution: (Last record: 11/08/2024 at Cromford ) - Not listed in Harrison & Sterling (1988) – A new British species in 1970, and one that seems to be expanding its range, with over 34 records from Derbyshire prior to 2010. Since a scattering of records so most probably under-recorded or a rare species.

Flight Period: April / May / July / August / - Moths emerge in July and over winter as adult, so can then be seen in April – May

Mine Period: July / September / - The larvae feed on sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus), initially in a small mine, but later folding the leaf and feeding within.

Wingspan: 11-12mm

Food Plant: Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanua)

Last Recorded Date: 11/08/2024

Last Recorded By: Clive Ashton

Last Recorded General Area: Cromford

No First Date Information Recorded

Caloptilia rufipennella – Small Red Slender – Will Soar

no images were found