Antispila metallella
This record describes Antispila metallella (species). Recorded family: Heliozelidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 8 to 9 mm. A small bronzy metallic species with paler metallic markings. The larva mines the leaves of Dogwood. The mine size needs to be measured - length of the long axis of the oval cut out for Antispila metallella should be 5.5 to 7 mm. For Antispila petryi this is 4 to 5 mm. Antispila metallella mines usually have some 'practice marks' at the start of the mine, caused by the female making a few attempts at oviposition; these are not found in A petryi mines. Areas where the larval foodplant is found. The adults fly in the daytime during May, preferring sunny weather. The larvae make blotch-mines in leaves of the foodplant, Dogwood and when fully grown, cut out a small oval to form a pupating case. The combination of mine and cut-out is very distinctive. This species is locally distributed throughout most of England. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local. http://www.leafmines.co.uk/html/Lepidoptera/A.metallella3.htm https://bladmineerders.nl/parasites/animalia/arthropoda/insecta/lepidoptera/monotrysia/adeloidea/heliozelidae/antispila/antispila-metallella/
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Heliozelidae
- Genus
- Antispila
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Areas where the larval foodplant is found.
Seasonal Activity
The adults fly in the daytime during May, preferring sunny weather.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae make blotch-mines in leaves of the foodplant, Dogwood and when fully grown, cut out a small oval to form a pupating case. The combination of mine and cut-out is very distinctive.
Additional species information
Recorded status
This species is locally distributed throughout most of England. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Antispila metallella. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Antispila metallella (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Antispila metallella
What is Antispila metallella?
Antispila metallella is a species in the family Heliozelidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Antispila metallella found?
Habitat: Areas where the larval foodplant is found.
When is Antispila metallella active?
Antispila metallella: seasonal activity - The adults fly in the daytime during May, preferring sunny weather..
What is the life cycle of a Antispila metallella?
The larvae make blotch-mines in leaves of the foodplant, Dogwood and when fully grown, cut out a small oval to form a pupating case. The combination of mine and cut-out is very distinctive.