15.04 BF321 – Ilex Leaf-miner – Phyllonorycter messaniella – (Zeller, 1846)
Adult Micro: CAT 2 – Can be confused with other species – Leaf-miner: CAT L – The leaf or a Photo required – 
– click for General Verification Guidelines | – click for Specific Verification Guidelines
– click for General Verification Guidelines | – click for Specific Verification Guidelines 
– Generally Common / Widespread 
– Leaf-miner
– care required in the identification process, as confusion with similar species is likely – quality photographs required. Confusion Species: Phyllonorycter quercifoliella
ID pointers: Forewing shining pale golden brown with four dorsal and four costal whitish streaks. Inwardly edged dark brown. A fine whitish basal streak that barely meets the middle of the forewing is a good ID feature
Distribution: Appears to be generally common as numerous records of the leaf-mines. Fairly common across the British Isles. Probably locally common in Oak, Beech or Sweet Chestnut Woodland.
General Comment: None Mine Period Additional: Can be found throughout the winter on Oak, Beech, Sweet Chestnut. Accepted if on Holm Oak otherwise needs to be reared.
Mine ID Difficulty: Not Recorded
Mine Type/s: Not Recorded
Mine Feeding Method/s: Not Recorded
Mine Comment: None.
*** Last updated on 2 October 2025 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: Staunton Harold Reservoir, Derbyshire – Tony Davison © / Belper – Dave Evans©
Image Gallery
Temporal Distribution Chart
Adults: (between 2004 - 2025) | Immatures: (between 2001 - 2025)
(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 messaniella
Found 43 records
↳ from 2026+
↳ 27 from 2020 - 2025
↳ 16 from Before 2020
↳ from 2026+
↳ 27 from 2020 - 2025
↳ 16 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 – Phyllonorycter messaniella
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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:
Phyllonorycter messaniella
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Monthly Counts By Year:
Phyllonorycter messaniella
( data is based on 'Adult' stage records only )
First/Last Recorded Dates: Phyllonorycter messaniella
Adult-only & Anything [Larvae, Pupae, Adult, Mines]
Shading shows moth presence between dates
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Recordings By Year: Phyllonorycter messaniella
( All data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Phyllonorycter messaniella
AGR: 11.5% | Total % Change: 1264.3%
Hectad (10kmx10km) Coverage: Phyllonorycter messaniella
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Phyllonorycter messaniella
Phyllonorycter messaniella
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 messaniella
Phyllonorycter messaniella
( 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 messaniella – 43 records available
Listed by Year - descending - scroll across to see all table columns
| Site Name | Tetrad | Date | Count | Stage | Recorder | Source | RecordKey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darwin Forest | SK36C | 06/10/2025 | 100 | mine (empty) | Evans, Dave | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC45819782 |
| Darwin Forest | SK26X | 04/10/2025 | 15 | mine (empty) | Evans, Dave | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC45786883 |
| DWT Wyver Lane | SK34P | 02/09/2025 | 11 | mine (empty) | Evans, Dave | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC45019765 |
| Shillito Wood | SK27X | 28/08/2025 | 10 | mine (empty) | Watchorn, Andrew | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC44968095 |
| Grindlow, UK | SK17Y | 27/08/2025 | 1 | Adult | Moores, Stephen | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC45007981 |
| Graves Park, Sheffield | SK38L | 26/08/2025 | 1 | mine | Mella, Pete | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC44859280 |
| Graves Park, Sheffield | SK38L | 26/08/2025 | 1 | mine | Mella, Pete | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC44859411 |
| DWT Wyver Lane | SK34P | 13/08/2025 | 4 | mine (empty) | Evans, Dave | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC44440721 |
| DWT Wyver Lane | SK34P | 06/08/2025 | 7 | mine (empty) | Evans, Dave | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC44213440 |
| DWT Wyver Lane | SK34P | 23/07/2025 | 28 | mine (empty) | Evans, Dave | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC43746926 |
| Limb Valley, Sheffield | SK38B | 28/06/2025 | 10 | mine (empty) | Watchorn, Andrew | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC43474880 |
| Chaddesden Garden | SK33T | 21/06/2025 | 1 | adult | loverock, neil | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC42660948 |
| Chaddesden Garden | SK33T | 14/06/2025 | 1 | adult | loverock, neil | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC42715150 |
| Miller's Dale | SK17G | 22/04/2025 | 1 | adult | Steven Bell | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC41103001 |
| Crich Lane Woods | SK34P | 19/10/2024 | 4 | mine (empty) | Evans, Dave | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC38983696 |
| Calke Abbey | SK32R | 16/10/2024 | 1 | mine | Harvey, Martin C. | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC38901151 |
| Darwin Forest | SK36C | 02/10/2024 | 20 | mine (empty) | Evans, Dave | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC38743122 |
| Bunsal Cob, Goyt Valley | SK07C | 16/09/2024 | 1 | mine | Mortin, Jon | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC40508655 |
| DWT Wyver Lane | SK34P | 12/09/2024 | 6 | mine (empty) | Evans, Dave | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC38431866 |
| DWT Wyver Lane | SK34P | 04/09/2024 | 2 | mine (empty) | Evans, Dave | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC38312559 |
| Poppy Wood | SK32S | 22/11/2023 | 1 | Mine | Finch, Graham Leonard | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC35107059 |
| Calke Park | SK32R | 07/10/2023 | 1 | Mine | Finch, Graham Leonard | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC35105508 |
| Calke Park | SK32R | 01/10/2023 | 1 | Mine | Finch, Graham Leonard | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC35105539 |
| Carver's Rocks | SK32G | 30/09/2023 | 1 | Mine | Finch, Graham Leonard | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC35106084 |
| Carver's Rocks | SK32H | 21/09/2023 | 1 | Mine | Finch, Graham Leonard | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC35106110 |
| Allestree, Derby | SK33P | 11/09/2023 | 1 | adult | Plant, Stephen | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC48474795 |
| Norton Lees | SK38L | 28/09/2020 | 1 | adult | Mella, Pete | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC50547308 |
| Blacka Moor and Plantation | SK28V | 22/06/2019 | 1 | Larva | Watchorn, Andrew | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC10720861 |
| Grange Wood | SK21S | 13/09/2018 | 1 | Mine | Finch, Graham Leonard | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC35106440 |
| Ramsley Moor and Reservoir | SK27X | 02/08/2018 | 1 | Larva | Watchorn, Andrew | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC7534641 |
| Lady Canning's Plantation | SK28W | 28/08/2017 | 1 | Larva | Watchorn, Andrew | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC5705458 |
| Cromford Moor and High Peak Trail | SK25X | 23/08/2016 | 1 | Larva | Watchorn, Andrew | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC3938359 |
| nr Smith's Gorse, Hartshorne, Swadlincote | SK32L | 15/08/2014 | 1 | Larval Mine | Dave Budworth | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COYYC |
| Millennium Meadow NR, Duffield | SK34L | 25/08/2013 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP9EI |
| Carvers Rocks, Hartshorne, Swadlincote | SK32G | 11/09/2011 | 6 | Larval Mine | Dave Budworth | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COY01 |
| Upper Wood, Howden Resr | SK19R | 25/08/2010 | 1 | Larval Mine | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP09M |
| Linacre | SK37L | 13/10/2009 | 1 | Larval Mine | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP558 |
| Broomfield Hall, Morley, Derby | SK34V | 08/11/2008 | 1 | Larval Mine | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COZZG |
| Calke Park | SK32L | 25/10/2008 | 1 | Mine | Finch, Graham Leonard | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC35105482 |
| Calke Park,Ticknall | SK32R | 25/10/2008 | 1 | Larval Mine | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COSOK |
| Edgecote Drive,Newhall,Swadlincote | SK22V | 31/10/2004 | 1 | Adult | Topliss, Neil | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COVR4 |
| Hillclifflane, nr Idridgehay | SK24Y | 02/11/2002 | 1 | Larval Mine | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP1H9 |
| Abbotsholme School, Rocester | SK13E | 04/10/2001 | 1 | Larval Mine | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COVGW |