15.053 BF332a – Firethorn Leaf-miner – Phyllonorycter leucographella – (Zeller, 1850)
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 
– Day-flying
– care required in the identification process, as confusion with similar species is likely – quality photographs required. Confusion Species: Phyllonorycter corylifoliella, Phyllonorycter viminiella
ID pointers: The forewing is bright orange and brown with a white streak from base of wing to about a third and several white cross-streaks. The moth has a distinctive posture when at rest. The mine is Blotch leaving a thin membrane
Distribution: First recorded in Britain in 1989 – now a common species, so well-spread across the county, especially in gardens with pyracantha.
General Comment: None Mine Period Additional: The mine is a silvery, translucent blotch on the upper-side of the leaf of Malus (Apple), Pyracantha, Sorbus (Rowan/Whitebeam) and Cotoneaster. Photo required if not on Pyracantha.
Mine ID Difficulty:
– Mine cannot be identified without breeding through and then adult may need to be examined by Gen Det Prep. Mine Type/s: Not Recorded
Mine Feeding Method/s: Not Recorded
Mine Comment: None.
*** Last updated on 29 March 2026 by RP ***
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: Curbar – Jane and Phil Lester © – Leaf Mine – Dave Evans © August 29th 2021 – Wyver Lane, Belper. / Belper 24th February 2025 – Dave Evans© / Kings Newton – Will Soar©
Image Gallery
Temporal Distribution Chart
Adults: (between 2003 - 2025) | Immatures: (between 1996 - 2026)
(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 leucographella
Found 100 records
↳ 5 from 2026+
↳ 30 from 2020 - 2025
↳ 65 from Before 2020
↳ 5 from 2026+
↳ 30 from 2020 - 2025
↳ 65 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 leucographella
⚠️ 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 leucographella
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Monthly Counts By Year:
Phyllonorycter leucographella
( data is based on 'Adult' stage records only )
First/Last Recorded Dates: Phyllonorycter leucographella
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 leucographella
( All data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Phyllonorycter leucographella
AGR: 17.05% | Total % Change: 5020%
Hectad (10kmx10km) Coverage: Phyllonorycter leucographella
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Phyllonorycter leucographella
Phyllonorycter leucographella
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 leucographella
Phyllonorycter leucographella
( 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 leucographella – 100 records available
Listed by Year - descending - scroll across to see all table columns
| Site Name | Tetrad | Date | Count | Stage | Recorder | Source | RecordKey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belper | SK34N | 26/03/2026 | 1 | mine (empty) | Evans, Dave | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC50852018 |
| Belper | SK34U | 21/03/2026 | 2 | mine (empty) | Evans, Dave | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC50691532 |
| Belper | SK34U | 13/03/2026 | 1 | mine (tenant | Evans, Dave | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC50592174 |
| Belper | SK34N | 11/03/2026 | 2 | mine (tenant | Evans, Dave | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC50592173 |
| Staveley garden SYA | SK47H | 08/01/2026 | 250 | mine | Radford, Mark | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC48598980 |
| sheffield | SK38M | 18/10/2025 | 1 | adult | Turner, Jan | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC46069636 |
| Sunnydale LNR | SK33G | 28/09/2025 | 1 | mine | Shervill, Andrew | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC45674524 |
| Belper | SK34U | 18/09/2025 | 1 | pupa | Evans, Dave | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC45469411 |
| Belper | SK34U | 05/09/2025 | 1 | adult | Evans, Dave | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC45149846 |
| Meersbrook Park (Walled Garden) | SK38M | 24/08/2025 | 1 | mine | Mella, Pete | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC44860870 |
| sheffield | SK38M | 22/08/2025 | 1 | adult | Turner, Jan | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC44704403 |
| Ingleby Ave, Derby | SK33L | 21/08/2025 | 50 | mine | Shervill, Andrew | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC44654132 |
| sheffield | SK38M | 21/08/2025 | 1 | adult | Turner, Jan | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC44704150 |
| Belper | SK34N | 11/06/2025 | 1 | adult | Evans, Dave | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC42267880 |
| King's Newton | SK32Y | 03/05/2025 | 1 | adult | Soar, Will | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC41523033 |
| Belper | SK34U | 13/04/2025 | 5 | mine (empty) | Evans, Dave | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC40963225 |
| Hope | SK18W | 16/03/2025 | 1 | Larva | tegholmes | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC41215592 |
| Markham Vale South Tip | SK47K | 21/02/2025 | 100 | mine | Radford, Mark | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC40267155 |
| Staveley, Derbyshire | SK47H | 16/02/2025 | 20 | mine | Radford, Mark | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC40226750 |
| Belper | SK34U | 02/02/2025 | 15 | mine (empty) | Evans, Dave | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC40122441 |
| Darley Bridge | SK26Q | 05/10/2024 | 1 | Adult | Moores, Stephen | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC38761997 |
| Roundhouse Road, Derby | SK33S | 21/09/2024 | 1 | mine | Neil Gregory | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC38567626 |
| Darley Bridge | SK26Q | 01/09/2024 | 1 | Adult | Moores, Stephen | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC38764230 |
| Derbyshire, UK | SK26Q | 01/09/2024 | 1 | Adult | Moores, Stephen | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC38884708 |
| Lower Gamesley VC | SK09C | 31/08/2024 | 2 | mine (tenant | Hind, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC38243509 |
| Froggatt, Hope Valley | SK27N | 21/08/2024 | 1 | adult | Barnacle, Bryan | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC38839920 |
| Belper | SK34U | 24/08/2023 | 1 | adult | Evans, Dave | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC35297962 |
| Belper Garden | SK34P | 20/08/2023 | 1 | adult | Evans, Dave | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34544414 |
| Belper Garden | SK34P | 19/08/2023 | 1 | adult | Evans, Dave | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34544366 |
| Belper | SK34U | 09/08/2023 | 1 | adult | Evans, Dave | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC35296826 |
| Belper Garden | SK34P | 04/08/2023 | 1 | adult | Evans, Dave | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34544273 |
| Main Street, Kings Newton | SK32Y | 08/09/2021 | 1 | Adult | Soar, Will | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34059816 |
| Midway, Derbys. | SK32A | 10/06/2021 | 1 | adult | Williams, Michael | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC38494182 |
| Woodland Ave | SK43R | 28/08/2020 | 1 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33502146 |
| Norton Lees | SK38L | 29/05/2020 | 1 | adult | Mella, Pete | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC50546435 |
| Main Street, Kings Newton | SK32Y | 06/06/2018 | 1 | Adult | Soar, Will | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34059817 |
| Markeaton park | SK33I | 07/04/2017 | 1 | Larva | Comont, Richard | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC4788571 |
| Markeaton park | SK33I | 07/04/2017 | 1 | Larva | Comont, Richard | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC4788587 |
| Main Street, Kings Newton | SK32Y | 07/09/2016 | 1 | Adult | Soar, Will | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34059818 |
| Shirland - Hallfieldgate Lane | SK35Z | 03/09/2014 | 1 | Adult | Mahadevan, Nikki | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC36749367 |
| Main Street, Kings Newton | SK32Y | 06/08/2014 | 1 | Adult | Soar, Will | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34679899 |
| Shipley Park (visitor centre), Ilkeston | SK44H | 20/07/2014 | 6 | Larval Mine | Dave Budworth | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COV30 |
| Backgarden Marehay | SK34Z | 25/06/2013 | 1 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33507882 |
| Findern Close, Belper | SK34P | 27/06/2012 | 1 | Adult | D. Evans | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP7UH |
| Backgarden Marehay | SK34Z | 19/06/2012 | 1 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33510252 |
| Bamford St,Ripley | SK34Z | 19/06/2012 | 1 | Adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COU9G |
| Findern Close, Belper | SK34P | 28/05/2012 | 2 | Adult | D. Evans | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COU8F |
| Backgarden Marehay | SK34Z | 27/05/2012 | 1 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33510096 |
| Bamford St,Ripley | SK34Z | 27/05/2012 | 1 | Adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP0CV |
| Foxglove Cottage, Quarry Lane, Alton, Chesterfield | SK36S | 27/04/2012 | 1 | Larvae | J. Bebbington | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP7QB |
| School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley Dale | SK26R | 02/10/2011 | 1 | Adult | A. Butler | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP7OC |
| Backgarden Marehay | SK34Z | 02/10/2011 | 1 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33514230 |
| Bamford St,Ripley | SK34Z | 02/10/2011 | 1 | Adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP7OI |
| Backgarden Marehay | SK34Z | 28/09/2011 | 1 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33514183 |
| Bamford St,Ripley | SK34Z | 28/09/2011 | 1 | Adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COU6J |
| Newboundmill Lane,Pleasley | SK56C | 26/09/2011 | 1 | Adult | C. Stubbs | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COU69 |
| Backgarden Marehay | SK34Z | 24/09/2011 | 2 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33514158 |
| Bamford St,Ripley | SK34Z | 24/09/2011 | 2 | Adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP7NQ |
| Backgarden Marehay | SK34Z | 22/09/2011 | 1 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33514142 |
| Bamford St,Ripley | SK34Z | 22/09/2011 | 1 | Adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP7N4 |
| Backgarden Marehay | SK34Z | 09/09/2011 | 1 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33514083 |
| Bamford St,Ripley | SK34Z | 09/09/2011 | 1 | Adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COXZX |
| Backgarden Marehay | SK34Z | 08/09/2011 | 1 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33514055 |
| Bamford St,Ripley | SK34Z | 08/09/2011 | 1 | Adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP7ME |
| Millers Dale | SK17G | 03/09/2011 | 1 | Larval Mine | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP7LM |
| Thorntree Lane,Newhall,Swadlincote | SK22V | 14/08/2011 | 2 | Larval Mine | Dave Budworth | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COU4D |
| Derby (near ring road cinema) | SK33L | 20/03/2011 | 21 | Larval Mine | Dave Budworth | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COXKL |
| Thorpe, Dovedale | SK15K | 13/10/2010 | 1 | Larval Mine | S.A. Orridge;S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP6QO |
| Ashford in the Water | SK16Z | 22/09/2010 | 1 | Larval Mine | S.A. Orridge;S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP6PH |
| Bamford | SK28B | 21/09/2010 | 1 | Larval Mine | K. McCabe;S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COTPT |
| Newhall (William Allitt School) | SK22V | 06/08/2010 | 1 | Larval Mine | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COTJU |
| Rose End Meadows NR,Cromford | SK25Y | 16/10/2009 | 1 | Larval Mine | Dave Budworth;S.A. Orridge;S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP562 |
| Coombs Dale,Stoney Middleton | SK27H | 12/10/2009 | 1 | Larval Mine | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COWZ2 |
| Stoney Middleton | SK27H | 12/10/2009 | 1 | Larval Mine | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COWZG |
| Hope | SK18R | 07/10/2009 | 1 | Larval Mine | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COSZH |
| Norbury | SK14G | 01/10/2009 | 1 | Larval Mine | Dave Budworth;S.A. Orridge;S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP53E |
| Castleton | SK18L | 10/09/2009 | 1 | Larval Mine | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COWX2 |
| Pin Dale | SK18L | 10/09/2009 | 1 | Larval Mine | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COWXF |
| Mellor | SJ98Z | 14/04/2009 | 1 | Larval Mine | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COWOT |
| Hollywood End | SJ98Z | 11/04/2009 | 1 | Larval Mine | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COWOQ |
| Oaks Barn Cottage, Monyash Rd, Over Haddon, Bakewell | SK26D | 19/09/2008 | 1 | Larval Mine | Dave Budworth;S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP4LW |
| Smalley | SK44C | 03/11/2007 | 1 | Larval Mine | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COZW6 |
| Edgecote Drive,Newhall,Swadlincote | SK22V | 18/08/2006 | 1 | Adult | Topliss, Neil | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP3I6 |
| Edgecote Drive,Newhall,Swadlincote | SK22V | 21/08/2004 | 1 | Adult | Topliss, Neil | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP2E6 |
| Main Street, Kings Newton | SK32Y | 13/08/2004 | 2 | Adult | Soar, Will | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34679898 |
| Main St,Kings Newton,Melbourne | SK32Y | 13/08/2004 | 2 | Adult | Soar, Will | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CORFN |
| Edgecote Drive,Newhall,Swadlincote | SK22V | 21/07/2004 | 1 | Adult | Topliss, Neil | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP22B |
| Edgecote Drive,Newhall,Swadlincote | SK22V | 11/06/2004 | 1 | Adult | Topliss, Neil | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COZ40 |
| Edgecote Drive,Newhall,Swadlincote | SK22V | 05/06/2004 | 1 | Adult | Topliss, Neil | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP1PD |
| Edgecote Drive,Newhall,Swadlincote | SK22V | 04/06/2004 | 4 | Adult | Topliss, Neil | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COR5Z |
| Edgecote Drive,Newhall,Swadlincote | SK22V | 02/06/2004 | 1 | Adult | Topliss, Neil | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP1P8 |
| Edgecote Drive,Newhall,Swadlincote | SK22V | 23/05/2004 | 1 | Adult | Topliss, Neil | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COVKA |
| Edgecote Drive,Newhall,Swadlincote | SK22V | 21/05/2004 | 1 | Adult | Topliss, Neil | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COVJZ |
| Edgecote Drive,Newhall,Swadlincote | SK22V | 15/05/2004 | 2 | Adult | Topliss, Neil | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP1NU |
| Main Street, Kings Newton | SK32Y | 01/09/2003 | 1 | Adult | Soar, Will | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34679897 |
| Main St,Kings Newton,Melbourne | SK32Y | 01/09/2003 | 1 | Adult | Soar, Will | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COR4B |
| Hillclifflane, nr Idridgehay | SK24Y | 02/11/2002 | 1 | Larval Mine | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP1H7 |
| Abbotsholme School, Rocester | SK13E | 04/10/2001 | 1 | Larval Mine | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COVGU |
| Broomfield Hall, Morley, Derby | SK34V | 02/11/1996 | 1 | Larval Mine | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COQWM |
| Trentlock area, Long Eaton | SK43V | 18/04/1996 | 40 | Larval Mine | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COVC0 |