15.067 BF345 – Common Alder Leaf-miner – Phyllonorycter rajella – (Linnaeus, 1758)
Adult Micro: CAT 2 – Can be confused with other species – Leaf-miner: CAT L – The leaf or a Photo required – 
Larval Case: C1 – Distinctive Species –
– click for General Verification Guidelines | – click for Specific Verification Guidelines
Larval Case: C1 – Distinctive Species – – click for General Verification Guidelines | – click for Specific Verification Guidelines 
– Generally Common / Widespread 
– Leaf-miner
– care required in the identification process, as confusion with similar species is likely – quality photographs required. Confusion Species: < Phyllonorycter strigulatella / Phyllonorycter anderidae >
ID pointers: A variable species, some dark, some pale. There is a broad white basal streak which is obvious. A black apex spot and pale cilia.
Distribution: Locally common across Derbyshire. Both mine and adult being recorded
General Comment: Notes by Christian Heintzen on image dated 4/11/2025 – on Alder (Alnus glutinosa) > lower surface tentiform mine away from leaf margins (A,B) > elongated mine between two lateral veins with one strong crease (a) on underside > lower epidermis yellow-green > mottled appearance of upper side due to partial removal of palisade parenchyme (b)
Mine Period Additional: Occurs on Alder (Alnus).
Mine ID Difficulty:
– Care required in ID process as confusion with similar leaf mines. Quality photos of the mine required. Mine Type/s: Blotch
Mine Feeding Method/s: Leaf Fold
Mine Comment: The larva mine the leaves of Alder. The tentiform mines are quite small forming blotches on the underside of the leaf and away from the leaf margins and within the leaf cells against the midrib. Shows a discoloured, translucent patch, but on the underside there is a strong central crease and often a reddish tinge.
*** Last updated on 8 December 2025 by TD ***
Blue-coded] moths is not displayed/updated in this tab. However, all verified records for this moth are listed in the RECORDS tab below. Selected Images: Kings Newton, Derbyshire – Will Soar © / Wyver Lane-Dave Evans© / Shirland – Nikki Mahadevan© / Rowlee Bridge – 4/11/2025 Christian Heintzen©
Image Gallery
Temporal Distribution Chart
Adults: (between 2003 - 2020) | Immatures: (between 1983 - 2025)
(click legend below to show/hide datasets)
Distribution Map for Phyllonorycter rajella
Found 48 records
↳ from 2026+
↳ 11 from 2020 - 2025
↳ 37 from Before 2020
↳ from 2026+
↳ 11 from 2020 - 2025
↳ 37 from Before 2020
If the Map Layers function fails, just refresh the page and it should be OK after. Use the +- zoom on the top left, or on a tablet, use two fingers to zoom. Remember, the last layer you ticked is the one which displays the popup information - they sit on top of each other - de-select then re-select, to see the popup values.
Bedrock Geology ** indirectly affects moth distribution by influencing the type of habitat and food plants available in an area. In turn, this may affect the types of moths that can thrive, or where they can most likely be found.
NBN Atlas UK Distribution for – Phyllonorycter rajella
⚠️ Please wait for the map to load fully – do not click the link shown.
Note – the NBN Atlas datasets are listed in the map below and vary in their currency (uptodateness) – however,
the map does give a general indication of the moth's distribution across the UK.
Monthly Records By Year:
Phyllonorycter rajella
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Monthly Counts By Year:
Phyllonorycter rajella
( data is based on 'Adult' stage records only )
First/Last Recorded Dates: Phyllonorycter rajella
Adult-only & Anything [Larvae, Pupae, Adult, Mines]
Shading shows moth presence between dates
Click the colour discs below to Select/De-select as Required
Recordings By Year: Phyllonorycter rajella
( All data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Phyllonorycter rajella
AGR: 1.7% | Total % Change: 50%
Hectad (10kmx10km) Coverage: Phyllonorycter rajella
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Phyllonorycter rajella
Phyllonorycter rajella
Flight Period chart – the grey hatched area above, which can cross one or more months, pictorially represents the best guess we have for this moth's flight periods [month/s]. The coloured lines represent the actual months seen in flight, from site observation records received between 2020-2026.
Mine Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Phyllonorycter rajella
Phyllonorycter rajella
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Mine Period chart – the grey hatched area above, which can cross one or more months, pictorially represents the best guess we have for this moth's mine periods [month/s]. The coloured lines represent the actual months seen mining, from site observation records received between 2020-2026.
Records Behind the Map and Charts - Phyllonorycter rajella – 48 records available
Listed by Year - descending - scroll across to see all table columns
| Site Name | Tetrad | Date | Count | Stage | Recorder | Source | RecordKey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Longdendale,Woodhead, Birchenbank Wood | SK19E | 07/11/2025 | 3 | Leaf-mine | Heintzen, Christian | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC47521382 |
| Rowlee Bridge, Woodlands Valley | SK18P | 04/11/2025 | 1 | Leaf-mine | Heintzen, Christian | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC47521377 |
| Jim Mart Nature Reserve | SK36S | 01/09/2025 | 1 | mine | Mahadevan, Nikki | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC45040640 |
| Belper | SK34N | 29/08/2025 | 1 | mine (empty) | Evans, Dave | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC44899617 |
| Calke Park | SK32R | 07/10/2023 | 1 | Mine | Finch, Graham Leonard | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC35105513 |
| Calke Park | SK32R | 01/10/2023 | 1 | Mine | Finch, Graham Leonard | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC35105546 |
| Carver's Rocks | SK32G | 30/09/2023 | 1 | Mine | Finch, Graham Leonard | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC35106090 |
| Carver's Rocks | SK32H | 21/09/2023 | 1 | Mine | Finch, Graham Leonard | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC35106114 |
| Blacka Moor and Plantation | SK28V | 24/08/2022 | 1 | mine (empty) | Watchorn, Andrew | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC27927524 |
| Main Street, Kings Newton | SK32Y | 15/09/2020 | 1 | Adult | Soar, Will | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34059820 |
| Main Street, Kings Newton | SK32Y | 07/08/2020 | 1 | Adult | Soar, Will | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34059815 |
| Bel | SK34U | 28/05/2019 | 1 | adult | Evans, Dave | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC35346890 |
| Main Street, Kings Newton | SK32Y | 17/07/2018 | 1 | Adult | Soar, Will | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34059821 |
| Jim Mart Nature Reserve | SK36S | 29/10/2016 | 1 | Leaf-mine | Mahadevan, Nikki | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34908886 |
| Main Street, Kings Newton | SK32Y | 07/09/2016 | 2 | Adult | Soar, Will | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34059822 |
| Millers Dale | SK17G | 03/09/2011 | 1 | Larval Mine | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COU5D |
| Ashford in the Water | SK16Z | 22/09/2010 | 1 | Larval Mine | S.A. Orridge;S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP6OX |
| Bamford | SK28B | 21/09/2010 | 1 | Larval Mine | K. McCabe;S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COTPY |
| Slippery Stones,Upper Derwent | SK19S | 25/08/2010 | 1 | Larval Mine | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COXID |
| Padley Gorge, Nether Padley | SK27P | 19/08/2010 | 1 | Larval Mine | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP6HZ |
| Linacre | SK37L | 13/10/2009 | 1 | Larval Mine | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP55C |
| Stoney Middleton | SK27H | 12/10/2009 | 1 | Larval Mine | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COWZJ |
| Foremark Resr (sailing club area), Ticknall | SK32H | 02/10/2009 | 1 | Larval Mine | Dave Budworth | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP05W |
| Norbury | SK14G | 01/10/2009 | 1 | Larval Mine | Dave Budworth;S.A. Orridge;S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COWY1 |
| Ashbourne | SK14T | 01/10/2009 | 1 | Larval Mine | Dave Budworth;S.A. Orridge;S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COWYG |
| Tissington Trail, Ashbourne | SK14T | 01/10/2009 | 1 | Larval Mine | Dave Budworth;S.A. Orridge;S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COWYW |
| Castleton | SK18L | 10/09/2009 | 1 | Larval Mine | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COWX4 |
| Broomfield Hall, Morley, Derby | SK34V | 08/11/2008 | 1 | Larval Mine | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COZZI |
| Calke Park | SK32L | 25/10/2008 | 1 | Mine | Finch, Graham Leonard | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC35105486 |
| Calke Park,Ticknall | SK32R | 25/10/2008 | 1 | Larval Mine | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COSON |
| Staunton Harold res (nr boat house), Melbourne | SK32S | 06/11/2007 | 1 | Larval Mine | Dave Budworth | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COZW8 |
| Carvers Rocks (new plantation),Hartshorne,Swadlincote | SK32G | 02/11/2007 | 1 | Larval Mine | Dave Budworth | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COZW2 |
| Dovedale (entrance cattle grid), Ashbourne | SK15K | 31/10/2007 | 1 | Larval Mine | Dave Budworth;W. Soar | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COSGZ |
| New plantation, Carvers Rocks area | SK32G | 21/10/2007 | 1 | Larval Mine | Dave Budworth | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COSGP |
| nr Brookdale Farm, Repton, Derbys | SK32H | 09/09/2007 | 1 | Larval Mine | Dave Budworth | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP454 |
| Mousley Bottom, New Mills | SJ98X | 03/09/2007 | 1 | Larval Mine | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP44T |
| Shallcross Wood, Goyt Valley, Whaley Bridge | SK07E | 26/09/2006 | 1 | Larval Mine | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP9YO |
| Carr Vale NR,Bolsover | SK46P | 13/09/2006 | 1 | Larval Mine | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COW8N |
| Ogston Carr Wood,nr Ogston Res | SK35U | 12/07/2006 | 1 | Larval Mine | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CORSK |
| Clattercotes Wood, nr Ogston Resr | SK36K | 12/07/2006 | 1 | Larval Mine | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP368 |
| Main St,Kings Newton,Melbourne | SK32Y | 02/10/2003 | 1 | Adult | Soar, Will | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COVIY |
| Main Street, Kings Newton | SK32Y | 16/09/2003 | 1 | Adult | Soar, Will | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34679900 |
| Main St,Kings Newton,Melbourne | SK32Y | 16/09/2003 | 1 | Adult | Soar, Will | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP1MU |
| Melbourne, Derbyshire | SK32X | 12/09/2003 | 1 | adult | Davison, Tony | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33100014 |
| Hillclifflane, nr Idridgehay | SK24Y | 02/11/2002 | 1 | Larval Mine | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP1HB |
| Brackley Gate, nr Coxbench | SK34W | 03/11/2001 | 1 | Larval Mine | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COR0E |
| Abbotsholme School, Rocester | SK13E | 04/10/2001 | 1 | Larval Mine | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COVH0 |
| Rowsley Sidings, Rowsley | SK26S | 12/11/1983 | 1 | Larval Mine | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COQEP |