Cnephasia asseclana - Graham Finch
49.051 BF1021  – Flax Tortrix  – Cnephasia asseclana  – ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
Adult Micro:  CAT 4 – Dissection required – Gen-Det-Reqd       Leaf-miner:  CAT L – The leaf or a Photo required – reared and possibly dissected       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   >>  Tortricidae  >> Tortricinae
Other Name/s: interjectana
ID Difficulty:  amber  – care required in the identification process, as confusion with similar species is likely – quality photographs required.
Confusion Species:  other Cnephasia
ID pointers: The ID of Graham’s specimen was determined by Gen.Det but no prep photos were taken. Variable in markings, this particular one shows overall brown forewings covered in spots and blotches. Can show variegated cross-bands over a paler brown background. A Gen Det prep photo by the late Claire Miles is of one taken on 7th June 2022.
Distribution:  A reasonably common species found in gardens, farmland and other open spaces, but due to the difficulty of identification, records remain low. Can be confused with other Cnephasia. If uncertain please record as Cnephasia agg
General Comment: None
Flight Period: June /  July /  August –  On the wing during June-August. Mine Period: Not Recorded
Mine Period Additional: Considered a Leaf miner as the larvae initially mine the leaves of its host plants. Then later spinning the leaves or flowers together for pupation.
Mine ID Difficulty: Not Recorded
Mine Type/s: Not Recorded
Mine Feeding Method/s: Not Recorded
Mine Comment: None.
Moth Activity: Nocturnal   – and is attracted to light Photographed: Yes –  Photographed By: Graham Finch, The late Claire Miles  © All Rights Reserved
*** Last updated on 26 October 2025 by TD ***
Wingspan: 15-18mm
Food Plant: Wide range of herbaceous plants
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:  Grange Wood, Derbyshire – Graham Finch©



Temporal Distribution Chart
Adults: (between 1997 - 2025)
(click legend below to show/hide datasets)

Distribution Map for Cnephasia asseclana

Found 19 records
    ↳ from 2026+
    ↳ 4 from 2020 - 2025
    ↳ 15 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

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 – Cnephasia asseclana

⚠️ 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.

Visit NBN Site


Monthly Records By Year: Cnephasia asseclana
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Monthly Counts By Year: Cnephasia asseclana
( data is based on 'Adult' stage records only )

First/Last Recorded Dates: Cnephasia asseclana
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: Cnephasia asseclana
( All data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Cnephasia asseclana
AGR: 0%   |   Total % Change: 0%

Hectad (10kmx10km) Coverage: Cnephasia asseclana
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Cnephasia asseclana

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
Cnephasia asseclana
( 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 - Cnephasia asseclana – 19 records available

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

Site NameTetradDateCountStageRecorderSourceRecordKey
Shaw Farm, New Mills VCSJ98Y12/08/20251adultHind, Stevevc57_irecords_extractiBRC44526617
Ingleby Ave, DerbySK33L20/06/20251adultShervill, Andrewvc57_irecords_extractiBRC42536159
Hathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F07/06/20221adultMiles, Clairevc57_irecords_extractiBRC29213188
Grange Wood, OversealSK21S02/07/20211adultGraham Finchvc57_irecords_extractiBRC46107207
Midway Rd,Midway,SwadlincoteSK32A13/07/20131AdultM.J. Williamsvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001CP905
Rosliston (National Forest Centre), SwadlincoteSK21N20/07/20126AdultBUDWORTH, Mr D., CLARKE, Mr D.A., WARD, Mr N.J., Svc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001CP0DC
Bamford St,RipleySK34Z15/07/20121AdultThorpe, Stevevc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001COY6K
Bamford St,RipleySK34Z19/06/20121AdultThorpe, Stevevc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001COU9L
Bamford St,RipleySK34Z17/06/20121AdultThorpe, Stevevc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001CP7SP
Denefields,MatlockSK36A22/07/20101AdultDave Budworth;N.J. Wardvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001COX9U
Newboundmill Lane,PleasleySK56C13/06/20091AdultB. Elliott;C. Stubbsvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001COSQF
Drakelow NR (car park),Burton on TrentSK22F12/07/20081AdultM.J. Williams;R. Williamsvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001COSJP
Drakelow NR (car park),Burton on TrentSK22F28/06/20081AdultM.J. Williams;R. Williamsvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001CP49D
Carvers Rocks,Hartshorne,Swadlincote (old toilet block area)SK32G11/08/20076AdultA. Davison;K. Peach;N. Toplissvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001COWFI
Main St,Kings Newton,MelbourneSK32Y13/07/20051AdultSoar, Willvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001COVUA
Foremark Resr, TicknallSK32H09/07/20056AdultA. Davison;N. Topliss;W. Soarvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001CP2MD
Shipley Park (Cinder Hill), Shipley, IlkestonSK44H02/07/20051AdultDave Budworth;B.G. Sewell;T. Durovc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001COVTN
Edgecote Drive,Newhall,SwadlincoteSK22V03/07/20041AdultTopliss, Neilvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001CP1VG
Dowey Lumb NR, DronfieldSK38Q25/07/19971AdultH.E. Beaumont;R.F. Botterillvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001COQXW

Scroll to Top