40.010 BF893 – Buff Mompha – Mompha epilobiella – ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
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 
– Rare / Uncommon / Scarce 
– Leaf-miner
– care required in the identification process, as confusion with similar species is likely – quality photographs required. Confusion Species: M.ochraceella
ID pointers: A distinctive little moth that rests low and flat in a horizontal position. The wings are held roof like and curl slightly around the body. Giving it a slightly tapered appearance. Forewing colour is a creamy yellowish with darker yellowish-brown markings. a faint costal spot at three quarters. Several very small scale tufts along the dorsum.
Distribution: (Last record: 25 August 2024 at Cromford ) – Appears to be locally widespread but not common despite it being common nationally wherever the food-plant occurs. Just scattered records
General Comment: None Mine Period Additional: Larvae mine the leaves of Willowherbs
Mine ID Difficulty: Not Recorded
Mine Type/s: Not Recorded
Mine Feeding Method/s: Not Recorded
Mine Comment: None.
*** Last updated on 7 November 2025 by RP ***
Last Recorded Year: 2024
Last Recorded By – Clive Ashton
Last Recorded General Area – Cromford
Selected Images: Melbourne, Derbyshire – Tony Davison©
Image Gallery
No gallery images found for this moth.
Temporal Distribution Chart
Adults: (between 1994 - 2025) | Immatures: (between 2005 - 2005)
(click legend below to show/hide datasets)
Distribution Map for Mompha epilobiella
Found 16 records
↳ from 2026+
↳ 9 from 2020 - 2025
↳ 7 from Before 2020
↳ from 2026+
↳ 9 from 2020 - 2025
↳ 7 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 – Mompha epilobiella
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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:
Mompha epilobiella
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Monthly Counts By Year:
Mompha epilobiella
( data is based on 'Adult' stage records only )
First/Last Recorded Dates: Mompha epilobiella
Adult-only & Anything [Larvae, Pupae, Adult, Mines]
Shading shows moth presence between dates
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Recordings By Year: Mompha epilobiella
( All data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Mompha epilobiella
AGR: 0.87% | Total % Change: 20%
Hectad (10kmx10km) Coverage: Mompha epilobiella
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Mompha epilobiella
Mompha epilobiella
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
Mompha epilobiella
Mompha epilobiella
( 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 - Mompha epilobiella – 16 records available
Listed by Year - descending - scroll across to see all table columns
| Site Name | Tetrad | Date | Count | Stage | Recorder | Source | RecordKey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cote Heath Allotments, Buxton | SK07R | 09/08/2025 | 1 | adult | Steven Bell | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC44320064 |
| Belper, Derbyshire | SK34N | 25/07/2025 | 1 | adult | Newcombe, Dave | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC44350093 |
| Derby DE | SK33I | 05/07/2025 | 1 | adult | Watson, Adrian | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC43623172 |
| Derby DE | SK33I | 27/06/2025 | 2 | adult | Watson, Adrian | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC43625157 |
| Sheffield | SK38M | 24/05/2025 | 1 | adult | Turner, Jan | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC41828895 |
| upper cromford garden | SK25Y | 25/08/2024 | 1 | adult | Ashton, Clive | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC38100496 |
| Forbes Hole LNR | SK43W | 19/07/2024 | 1 | adult | Bryce, Marion | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC37225877 |
| Birch Vale | SK08I | 23/07/2021 | 1 | Adult | Hewitt, Jane | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34472740 |
| Melbourne, Derbyshire | SK32X | 29/07/2020 | 1 | adult | Davison, Tony | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33554464 |
| Main Street, Kings Newton | SK32Y | 17/07/2018 | 1 | Adult | Soar, Will | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34060126 |
| Backgarden Marehay | SK34Z | 21/05/2015 | 1 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33505330 |
| Far Cross,Cavendish Park,Matlock | SK36A | 01/11/2007 | 1 | Adult | B.L. Statham | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COZVY |
| Middle Peak Quarry, Wirksworth | SK25X | 07/06/2005 | 1 | Larvae | B.L. Statham | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP2H9 |
| Main Street, Kings Newton | SK32Y | 25/03/2004 | 1 | Adult | Soar, Will | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34678814 |
| Holme Hall, Cutthorpe, nr Chesterfield | SK37L | 20/08/1994 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP150 |
| Holme Hall, Cutthorpe, nr Chesterfield | SK37L | 16/08/1994 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COVBM |