15.079 BF357  –  Gracillariidae –  Lithocolletinae – Phyllonorycter stettinensis – Lesser Alder Leaf-miner – (Nicelli, 1852) Adult Micro:  CAT 3 – Very rare or scarce species (includes very scarce adventives/immigrants) – confusion with leaf mines       Leaf-miner:  CAT A – Recorded accepted without the leaf or a photo –       Larval Case:  C1 – Distinctive Species –       PDF Icon – click for General Verification Guidelines  |   PDF Icon – click for Specific Verification Guidelines
Blue –  Generally Common / Widespread        purple – Leaf Miner
Taxonomy:   Micro   >>  Gracillariidae  >> Lithocolletinae
Other Name/s: Small Alder Midget
ID Difficulty:  amber  – 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 ©
Flight Period: May /  August –  Two generations in May and August Mine Period:  July /  October
Mine Period Additional: None.
Mine ID Difficulty:  Green Mine Leaf – 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. 
Moth Activity: Cathemeral   – but can be disturbed during the day Photographed: Yes –  Photographed By: Tony Davison, Christian Heintzen  © All Rights Reserved
*** Last updated on 8 December 2025 by TD ***
Wingspan: 6-7.5mm
Food Plant: Alder
Specific Recorded History Dates for Common [Blue code 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©



Distribution Map for Phyllonorycter stettinensis

Found 17 records
    ↳ from 2026+
    ↳ 8 from 2020 - 2025
    ↳ 9 from Before 2020
Flying
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Mining
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

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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.

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Monthly Records By Year: Phyllonorycter stettinensis
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
No data returned from the database.

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
( data includes Adult Stage only )

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
( 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 – 17 records available

Listed by Year - descending - scroll across to see all table columns

Site NameTetradDateCountStageSource
Glossop, DWT Long CloughSK09G24/11/20252Leaf-minevc57_irecords_extract
Longdendale, Trans Pennine Trail, TorsideSK09U12/11/20251Leaf-minevc57_irecords_extract
Longdendale, Trans Pennine TrailSK09Z11/11/20251Leaf-minevc57_irecords_extract
Rowlee Bridge, Woodlands ValleySK18P04/11/20252Leaf-minevc57_irecords_extract
Staunton Harold Reservoir, DerbyshireSK32S28/10/20251mine (tenantvc57_irecords_extract
Markham Vale North TipSK47L22/10/20251minevc57_irecords_extract
Alvaston ParkSK33S20/09/20251minevc57_irecords_extract
Calke ParkSK32R01/10/20231Minevc57_irecords_extract
Calver and River DerwentSK27M05/08/20181pre-adultvc57_irecords_extract
LinacreSK37L13/10/20091Larval Minevc57_danes_bc_data
NorburySK14G01/10/20091Larval Minevc57_danes_bc_data
Carr Vale NR,BolsoverSK46P13/09/20061Larval Minevc57_danes_bc_data
Clattercotes Wood, nr Ogston ResrSK36K12/07/20061Larval Minevc57_danes_bc_data
Hillclifflane, nr IdridgehaySK24Y02/11/20021Larval Minevc57_danes_bc_data
Abbotsholme School, RocesterSK13E04/10/20011Larval Minevc57_danes_bc_data
Rowsley Sidings, Rowsley (site not precise)SK26S12/11/19831Larval Minevc57_danes_bc_data
Willington area (spinney), DerbySK22Z02/04/19051Adultvc57_danes_bc_data

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