15.067 BF345 - Gracillariidae - Lithocolletinae - Phyllonorycter rajella

15.067 BF345 - Gracillariidae - Lithocolletinae - Phyllonorycter rajella - Common Alder Leaf-miner - (Linnaeus, 1758)

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

Taxonomy: Micro >> . >> Gracillariidae

Other Name/s: Common Alder Midget

ID Difficulty: amber

- 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

Flight Period: May / August / - On the wing during May & August in two generations

Mine Period: May / August / - Occurs on Alder (Alnus). The mines form blotches on the underside of the leave within the leaf cells.

*** Last updated on 9 March 2025 by RP ***

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Wingspan: 7-9mm

Food Plant: Alder

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

IMAGES BELOW: Kings Newton, Derbyshire – Will Soar ©

Phyllonorycter rajella – Common-Alder-Midget-Phyllonorycter-rajella – Will Soar

Phyllonorycter rajella -Common-Alder-Midget-Phyllonorycter-rajella-Melbourne-Tony Davison-12.9.03

Phyllonorycter rajella – Will Soar

Phyllonorycter rajella – 28/5/2019 – Dave Evans

Phyllonorycter rajella – 29/10/2016 – Nikki Mahadevan

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