Caloptilia elongella
This record describes Caloptilia elongella (species). Recorded family: Gracillariidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan14 to16mm. A long bodied chestnut brown moth. Like other Caloptilia species, it rests with a distinctive posture, the front part of the body raised high on the forelegs. The larva mines the leaves of Alder, initially in an inconspicuous upper surface gallery. This lead to a silvery blotch over a vein, whch causes the leaf to contract. The larva then leaves the mine to feed in a folded and rolled leaf edge. The larva is whitish with some dark markings but without any clear distinguishing features. Pupation is in a transparent, shining cocoon attached to the leaf underside Other moth species feed inside rolled or folded leaves; before recording a leaf-fold, the larva should be checked. Photograph the mine or the leaf-fold and larva; note the host species This moth has two generations, with adults flying in June and again during September, after which they hibernate and reappear in spring. Widespread and fairly frequent in some parts of Britain. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common. http://www.leafmines.co.uk/html/Lepidoptera/C.elongella.htm https://bladmineerders.nl/parasites/animalia/arthropoda/insecta/lepidoptera/ditrysia/gracillarioidea/gracillariidae/gracillariinae/caloptilia/caloptilia-elongella/
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Gracillariidae
- Genus
- Caloptilia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Where Alder is present.
Seasonal Activity
This moth has two generations, with adults flying in June and again during September, after which they hibernate and reappear in spring.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Widespread and fairly frequent in some parts of Britain. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Caloptilia elongella. 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 Caloptilia elongella (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Caloptilia elongella
What is Caloptilia elongella?
Caloptilia elongella is a species in the family Gracillariidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Caloptilia elongella found?
Habitat: Where Alder is present.
When is Caloptilia elongella active?
Caloptilia elongella: seasonal activity - This moth has two generations, with adults flying in June and again during September, after which they hibernate and reappear in spring..