Ectoedemia atricollis
This record describes Ectoedemia atricollis (species). Recorded family: Nepticulidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The larvae mine the leaves of Hawthorn, Apple and other Rosaceae species. It has a distinctive black head, usually visible in the mine without being dissected out. Initially, the larvae form galleries along the edge of the leaf, leading to a large blotch on the leaf margin. The leaf mines are similar to Bohemannia pulverosella, Stigmella hybnerella and Stigmella regiella Vacated mines can be difficult; we recommend recording this as a tenanted mine. Photos should show the black head of the larva. Areas where the larval foodplants are present. The adult moths emerge in a single generation in June. The larvae of this species form mines on Hawthorn, Apple, Pear and Wild Cherry. Widespread throughout England and Wales. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common. http://www.leafmines.co.uk/html/Lepidoptera/E.atricollis.htm
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Nepticulidae
- Genus
- Ectoedemia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Areas where the larval foodplants are present.
Seasonal Activity
The adult moths emerge in a single generation in June.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae of this species form mines on Hawthorn, Apple, Pear and Wild Cherry.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Widespread throughout England and Wales. 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 Ectoedemia atricollis. 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 Ectoedemia atricollis (9)
Frequently Asked Questions About Ectoedemia atricollis
What is Ectoedemia atricollis?
Ectoedemia atricollis is a species in the family Nepticulidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Ectoedemia atricollis found?
Habitat: Areas where the larval foodplants are present.
When is Ectoedemia atricollis active?
Ectoedemia atricollis: seasonal activity - The adult moths emerge in a single generation in June..
What is the life cycle of a Ectoedemia atricollis?
The larvae of this species form mines on Hawthorn, Apple, Pear and Wild Cherry.