Ectoedemia subbimaculella
This record describes Ectoedemia subbimaculella (species). Recorded family: Nepticulidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 5 to 6 mm. The adults are similar to E. heringi but otherwise quite distinctive, with two creamy spots and a creamy basal patch on a violet-tinged blackish forewing. The larvae mine Oak leaves, initially in a gallery following a vein, then creating a triangular blotch between vein and midrib. It can be distinguished from the similar mines of E. heringi by the presence of a slit or lose triangular flap in the lower epidermis which allows frass and water to pass. The larva has a dark head, and continues to feed in 'green islands' in fallen oak leaves. Photograph underside of leafmine to see open slit or flap fhat allows frass to fall out. Commonest in south-east England, the distribution expands north and westwards. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common. http://www.leafmines.co.uk/html/Lepidoptera/E.subbimaculella.htm https://bladmineerders.nl/parasites/animalia/arthropoda/insecta/lepidoptera/monotrysia/nepticuloidea/nepticulidae/ectoedemia/ectoedemia-subbimaculella/ No additional images available for this species.
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
Around Oak.
Seasonal Activity
Adult: May to July.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Commonest in south-east England, the distribution expands north and westwards. 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 subbimaculella. 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 subbimaculella (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Ectoedemia subbimaculella
What is Ectoedemia subbimaculella?
Ectoedemia subbimaculella is a species in the family Nepticulidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Ectoedemia subbimaculella found?
Habitat: Around Oak.
When is Ectoedemia subbimaculella active?
Ectoedemia subbimaculella: seasonal activity - Adult: May to July..