Caloptilia falconipennella
This record describes Caloptilia falconipennella (species). Recorded family: Gracillariidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan about 13mm. The larva mines alder, starting with a short inconsipuous gallery, then a small lower surface tentiform blotch that over-runs the gallery and causes the leaf to contract slightly and the epidermis to turn brown. The larva then leaves the mine and feeds within a folded and rolled leaf edge that is anchored with silk. The larva is whitish with a pale brown head and lacks clear distinguishing features. other moth species also fold or roll the edge of a leaf; check larva Photograph the mine and note host species The adult moths emerge in September and overwinter in this stage, reappearing in the spring. The larvae feed on alder, at first mining the leaf and creating a small, tent-like edge mine and then making a small number of folds on the leaf-edge which are 'anchored down' with silken strands. The larva feeds within. This is a rather rare and local species that is not often observed. Records suggest it has a fairly broad distribution, but is probably overlooked and may be more widespread than is currently known. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as Nationally Scarce B. http://www.leafmines.co.uk/html/Lepidoptera/C.falconipennella.htm https://bladmineerders.nl/parasites/animalia/arthropoda/insecta/lepidoptera/ditrysia/gracillarioidea/gracillariidae/gracillariinae/caloptilia/caloptilia-falconipennella/
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
Areas where alder is present.
Seasonal Activity
The adult moths emerge in September and overwinter in this stage, reappearing in the spring.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed on alder, at first mining the leaf and creating a small, tent-like edge mine and then making a small number of folds on the leaf-edge which are 'anchored down' with silken strands. The larva feeds within.
Additional species information
Recorded status
This is a rather rare and local species that is not often observed. Records suggest it has a fairly broad distribution, but is probably overlooked and may be more widespread than is currently known. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as Nationally Scarce B.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Caloptilia falconipennella. 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 falconipennella (6)
Frequently Asked Questions About Caloptilia falconipennella
What is Caloptilia falconipennella?
Caloptilia falconipennella is a species in the family Gracillariidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Caloptilia falconipennella found?
Habitat: Areas where alder is present.
When is Caloptilia falconipennella active?
Caloptilia falconipennella: seasonal activity - The adult moths emerge in September and overwinter in this stage, reappearing in the spring..
What is the life cycle of a Caloptilia falconipennella?
The larvae feed on alder, at first mining the leaf and creating a small, tent-like edge mine and then making a small number of folds on the leaf-edge which are 'anchored down' with silken strands. The larva feeds within.