Dyseriocrania subpurpurella
This record describes Dyseriocrania subpurpurella (species). Recorded family: Eriocraniidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 9-14 mm. The moths have metallic golden wings, lightly speckled with purplish or blue tiny spots. The relatively uncommon form fastuosella is much more richly marked with purple spots or striations. The larva mines the leaves of Oak. The leaf mines are at the tips of young leaves, and have the characterisitc spaghetti-like frass of the Eriocraniidae. Care is needed to avoid confusion with the sawffly mine Profenusa pygmaea Provide photographs of the mine and leaf; check appearance of frass This species is quite an early flyer, being on the wing in April and May, and despite being generally diurnal, is often found in light-traps at night. The larvae feed internally on leaves of Oak, and create a distinctive 'blotch mine'. It is common throughout the whole of Britain except the very North of Scotland. http://www.leafmines.co.uk/html/Lepidoptera/E.subpurpurella.htm
Wikipedia reference for Dyseriocrania subpurpurella: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyseriocrania_subpurpurella.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Eriocraniidae
- Genus
- Dyseriocrania
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Woodland areas, and around Oaks
Seasonal Activity
This species is quite an early flyer, being on the wing in April and May, and despite being generally diurnal, is often found in light-traps at night.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed internally on leaves of Oak, and create a distinctive 'blotch mine'.
Additional species information
Recorded status
It is common throughout the whole of Britain except the very North of Scotland.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Dyseriocrania subpurpurella. 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 Dyseriocrania subpurpurella (3)
Frequently Asked Questions About Dyseriocrania subpurpurella
What is Dyseriocrania subpurpurella?
Dyseriocrania subpurpurella is a species in the family Eriocraniidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Dyseriocrania subpurpurella found?
Habitat: Woodland areas, and around Oaks
When is Dyseriocrania subpurpurella active?
Dyseriocrania subpurpurella: seasonal activity - This species is quite an early flyer, being on the wing in April and May, and despite being generally diurnal, is often found in light-traps at night..
What is the life cycle of a Dyseriocrania subpurpurella?
The larvae feed internally on leaves of Oak, and create a distinctive 'blotch mine'.