35.149 BF771  –  Gelechiidae –  Gelechiinae – Carpatolechia alburnella – Birch Grey – (Zeller, 1839) Adult Micro:  CAT 2 – Can be confused with other species –       PDF Icon – click for General Verification Guidelines  |   PDF Icon – click for Specific Verification Guidelines
Brown –  Significant Record / Very Rare / Vagrant    
Taxonomy:   Micro   >>  Gelechiidae  >> Gelechiinae
Other Name/s: Suffused Groundling
ID Difficulty:  amber  – care required in the identification process, as confusion with similar species is likely – quality photographs required.
ID pointers: Forewing whitish silvery grey with orange-brown spots, in some cases raised speckling. Black marks on the leading edge of the forewing at about one half and near the base. Blends in exceptionally well against birch trunks. This specimen was determined by Gen.Det but prep photos were not taken.
Distribution:  (Last record: 25 July 2023 at Chaddesden, Derby )  –  Probably local and well distributed wherever there is birch (Betula). Very few records hence the status as very rare.
General Comment: None
Flight Period: June /  July /  August –  On the wing in June-August Moth Activity: Nocturnal  Cathemeral   – and is attracted to light Photographed: Yes –  Photographed By: Graham Finch, Will Soar, Neil Loverock  © All Rights Reserved
*** Last updated on 26 October 2025 by TD ***
Wingspan: 12-14mm
Food Plant: Birch (Betula).
Last Recorded Year: 2023
Last Recorded By – Neil Loverock
Last Recorded General Area – Chaddesden, Derby

Selected Images:  Grange Wood, Derbyshire – Graham Finch© / Kings Newton – Will Soar© / Chaddesden, Derby – Neil Loverock©



Distribution Map for Carpatolechia alburnella

Found 4 records
    ↳ from 2026+
    ↳ 3 from 2020 - 2025
    ↳ 1 from Before 2020
Flying
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 – Carpatolechia alburnella

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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: Carpatolechia alburnella
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Monthly Counts By Year: Carpatolechia alburnella
( data is based on 'Adult' stage records only. )


First/Last Recorded Dates: Carpatolechia alburnella
Adult-only & Anything [Larvae, Pupae, Adult, Mines]

Shading shows moth presence between dates

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Recordings By Year: Carpatolechia alburnella
( All data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Carpatolechia alburnella
AGR: 0%   |   Total % Change: 0%

Hectad (10kmx10km) Coverage: Carpatolechia alburnella
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Carpatolechia alburnella
( 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.

Records Behind the Map and Charts - Carpatolechia alburnella – 4 records available

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

Site NameTetradDateCountStageSource
Chaddesden GardenSK33T25/07/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Grange Wood, OversealSK21S02/07/20211adultvc57_irecords_extract
Main Street, Kings NewtonSK32Y12/07/20201Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Crich Chase, Ambergate (site not precise)SK35L27/06/19961Adultvc57_danes_bc_data

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