15.053 BF332a - Gracillariidae - Lithocolletinae - Phyllonorycter leucographella

15.053 BF332a - Gracillariidae - Lithocolletinae - Phyllonorycter leucographella - Firethorn Leaf-miner - (Zeller, 1850)

Adult Micro: CAT 2 - Confusion Species - Leaf-miner: CAT L - The leaf or a Photo required -

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- Generally Common / Widespread - Leaf Miner - Day-flying

Taxonomy: Micro >> Gracillariidae

ID Difficulty: amber

- care required in the identification process, as confusion with similar species is likely - quality photographs required.
Confusion Species: < Phyllonorycter corylifoliella /Phyllonorycter viminiella >

ID pointers: The forewing is bright orange and brown with a white streak from base of wing to about a third and several white cross-streaks. The moth has a distinctive posture when at rest. The mine is Blotch leaving a thin membrane

Distribution: First recorded in Britain in 1989 – now a common species, so well-spread across the county, especially in gardens with pyracantha.

Flight Period: April / May / June / July / August / September / October / - On the wing during the day in April – October in many generations

Mine Period: January / February / March / April / July / October / November / December / - The mine is a silvery, translucent blotch on the upper-side of the leaf of Malus (Apple), Pyracantha, Sorbus (Rowan/Whitebeam) and Cotoneaster. Photo required if not on Pyracantha.

*** Last updated on 25 February 2025 by TD ***

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Wingspan: 7-9mm

Food Plant: Mainly Pyracantha, but also apple and hawthorn

Recorded dates for Common [Blue-coded ] moths are not stored on the website at this current time.

IMAGES BELOW: Kings Newton – Will Soar © – Leaf Mine – Dave Evans © August 29th 2021 – Wyver Lane, Belper. / Belper 24th February 2025 – Dave Evans©