15.079 BF357 – Lesser Alder Leaf-miner – Phyllonorycter stettinensis – (Nicelli, 1852)
Adult Micro: CAT 3 – Very rare or scarce species (includes very scarce adventives/immigrants) – 
Leaf-miner: CAT A – Recorded accepted without the leaf or a photo – Larval Case: C1 – Distinctive Species –
– click for General Verification Guidelines | – click for Specific Verification Guidelines
Leaf-miner: CAT A – Recorded accepted without the leaf or a photo – 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 tristrigella (Elm Leaf-miner); Phyllonorycter froelichiella (Large Alder Leaf-miner)
ID pointers: A dark species in comparison to other Phyllonorycters and quite attractive with contrasting creamy bands and a black tufted head.
Distribution: All records refer to Leaf Mines – When found they seem to be quite numerous so would indicate the species is relatively common and stable.
General Comment: Notes by Christian Heintzen on image 13/11/2025 – on Alder (Alnus glutinosa) > upper surface oval tentiform mine over lateral vein > upper surface yellowish-green (a) (later brown) with one strong crease (b)
Notes by Christian Heintzen on image dated 11/11/2025 – on Alder (Alnus glutinosa) > upper surface oval tentiform mine over lateral vein (A,B) > upper surface yellowish-green (a) (later brown) with one strong crease (b) > pupa in a tough cocoon inside the mine ©
Notes by Christian Heintzen on image dated 4/11/2025 – on Alder (Alnus glutinosa) > upper surface oval tentiform mine over lateral vein (A,B) > upper surface yellowish-green (a) (later brown) with one strong crease (b) > frass in one corner of the mine ©
Mine Period Additional: None.
Mine ID Difficulty:
– Easy to identify, generally the leaf mine is distinctive and unlikely to be confused with other species. Mine Type/s: Blister
Mine Feeding Method/s: N/A
Mine Comment: The larva creates a small, oval “Blister” tentiform type mine on the upper surface of the leaf, which is a key distinguishing feature from other similar species that mine the underside. The mine surface is glossy and heavily creased, starting green and turning orange or brown as it matures. The frass is in one corner of the mine. The pupa overwinters in a white cocoon inside the mine.
*** 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:
Staunton Harold Res 28/10/2025 – Tony Davison© / Longdendale 4/11/2025, 11/11/2025 and 12/11/2025 – Christian Heintzen©
Image Gallery
Temporal Distribution Chart
Adults: (between 1905 - 2020) | Immatures: (between 1983 - 2025)
(click legend below to show/hide datasets)
This chart summarises all available historical occurrence records collated by ISO week of the year. It reflects recorder effort and sampling distribution as well as true biological activity, and should be interpreted as an indicative pattern of seasonal occurrence rather than a statistically controlled abundance or phenology model.
Distribution Map for Phyllonorycter stettinensis
Found 18 records
↳ from 2026+
↳ 9 from 2020 - 2025
↳ 9 from Before 2020
↳ from 2026+
↳ 9 from 2020 - 2025
↳ 9 from Before 2020
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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 stettinensis
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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 stettinensis
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Monthly Counts By Year:
Phyllonorycter stettinensis
( data is based on 'Adult' stage records only )
First/Last Recorded Dates: Phyllonorycter stettinensis
Adult-only & Anything [Larvae, Pupae, Adult, Mines]
Shading shows moth presence between dates
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Recordings By Year: Phyllonorycter stettinensis
( All data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Phyllonorycter stettinensis
AGR: 1.05% | Total % Change: 28.6%
Hectad (10kmx10km) Coverage: Phyllonorycter stettinensis
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Phyllonorycter stettinensis
Phyllonorycter stettinensis
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 stettinensis
Phyllonorycter stettinensis
( 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 stettinensis – 18 records available
Listed by Year - descending - scroll across to see all table columns
| Site Name | Tetrad | Date | Count | Stage | Recorder | Source | RecordKey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glossop, DWT Long Clough | SK09G | 24/11/2025 | 2 | Leaf-mine | Heintzen, Christian | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC47521398 |
| Longdendale, Trans Pennine Trail, Torside | SK09U | 12/11/2025 | 1 | Leaf-mine | Heintzen, Christian | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC47521391 |
| Longdendale, Trans Pennine Trail | SK09Z | 11/11/2025 | 1 | Leaf-mine | Heintzen, Christian | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC47521386 |
| Rowlee Bridge, Woodlands Valley | SK18P | 04/11/2025 | 2 | Leaf-mine | Heintzen, Christian | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC47521378 |
| Staunton Harold Reservoir, Derbyshire | SK32S | 28/10/2025 | 1 | mine (tenant | Davison, Tony | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC46136308 |
| Markham Vale North Tip | SK47L | 22/10/2025 | 1 | mine | Radford, Mark | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC46039987 |
| Alvaston Park | SK33S | 20/09/2025 | 1 | mine | Goddard, Sam | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC45460732 |
| Calke Park | SK32R | 01/10/2023 | 1 | Mine | Finch, Graham Leonard | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC35105547 |
| Norton Lees | SK38L | 30/07/2020 | 1 | adult | Mella, Pete | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC50547399 |
| Calver and River Derwent | SK27M | 05/08/2018 | 1 | Larva | Watchorn, Andrew | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC8650086 |
| Linacre | SK37L | 13/10/2009 | 1 | Larval Mine | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP55E |
| Norbury | SK14G | 01/10/2009 | 1 | Larval Mine | Dave Budworth;S.A. Orridge;S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COWY3 |
| Carr Vale NR,Bolsover | SK46P | 13/09/2006 | 1 | Larval Mine | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COW8P |
| Clattercotes Wood, nr Ogston Resr | SK36K | 12/07/2006 | 1 | Larval Mine | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP369 |
| Hillclifflane, nr Idridgehay | SK24Y | 02/11/2002 | 1 | Larval Mine | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP1HD |
| Abbotsholme School, Rocester | SK13E | 04/10/2001 | 1 | Larval Mine | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP1EM |
| Rowsley Sidings, Rowsley (site not precise) | SK26S | 12/11/1983 | 1 | Larval Mine | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COQEQ |
| Willington area (spinney), Derby | SK22Z | 02/04/1905 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COQH1 |