15.011 BF289  -  Gracillariidae -  Gracillariinae - Caloptilia falconipennella - Dark Alder Stilt - (Hübner, [1813]) Adult Micro:  CAT 3 - Very Rare/Scarce/Migrant/Adventive - confusion with leaf mines       Leaf-miner:  CAT L - The leaf or a Photo required - reared and possibly dissected       PDF Icon - click for General Verification Guidelines  |   PDF Icon - click for Specific Verification Guidelines
Brown -  Significant Record / Very Rare / Vagrant         purple - Leaf Miner
Taxonomy:   Micro  >> . >>  Gracillariidae Other Name/s: Scarce Alder Slender ID Difficulty:  amber  - care required in the identification process, as confusion with similar species is likely - quality photographs required.
Confusion Species:  Caloptilia populetorum(Black-dot Stilt);Caloptilia cuculipennella (Privet Stilt);Caloptilia hemidactylella (Scarce Maple Stilt)
ID pointers: This species has a differing spring and summer form (seasonally dimorphic). The summer form shows a sharply defined yellowish costal blotch and in appearance resembles other Caloptilia species. In the spring form (over-wintered) however this feature is feint or absent except for a dark basal area that contrasts with the rest of the moths forewing and gives it an almost cloak-like appearance. The ground colours range from reddish-brow to greyish-brown tones. Given this is the spring form, and on the basis of the food plant being close by and the lack of any confusion species at this time of year, the moth is accepted on the superb photograph attached.
Distribution:  (First record: 24/03/2025 at Glossop )  -  (Last record: 24/03/2025 at Glossop )  -  A new species for the VC57 & Derbyshire – One recorded from Glossop to MV Light 24th March 2025 – Alder Woodland in Herod Clough that is part of the Long Clough Nature Reserve.
Flight Period: January /  February /  March /  April /  May /  September /  October /  November /  December /  -  Two forms – A spring form & a summer form – The moth overwinters. Mine Period: July /  August /   - On Alder – mining the leaf at first then creating several folds along the leaf edge feeding within. Moth Activity: Cathemeral   - and is attracted to light Photographed: Yes -  Photographed By: Christian Heintzen  © All Rights Reserved
*** Last updated on 26 March 2025 by TD ***
Wingspan: 12-14mm
Food Plant: Alder
Last Recorded Date: 24/03/2025
First Recorded Date: 24/03/2025

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Glossop (2025) first record for VC57 & Derbyshire – Christian Heintzen©

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