Eriocrania sparrmannella
This record describes Eriocrania sparrmannella (species). Recorded family: Eriocraniidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 10 to 13 mm. The adult moths are very attractive when viewed closely, having a metallic golden ground colour, intensely speckled with purple and blue. There is also a golden tornal spot. Like related species, the larva mines a leaf of the foodplant (Birch), starting with a narrow gallery, widening abruptly into a blotch filled with filament-like threads of frass. The mine begins later than other Eriocrania , in the centre of the leaf. The larva has two cloudy brown spots visible through the pronotum, but these can be very difficult to see. Other Eriocrania on Birch. E salopiella has very similar mines and larvae, but they start earlier in the season. Adult: Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. In the comments box, state the key or ID method used and describe the size and identifying characters. The specimen should be retained as genitalia determination may be required for adults of this species. Leafmine: The mine (backlit) and larva must be photographed for this species. Only tenanted mines can be identifed. Adults fly from late April into May. This is followed by the leafmines on Birch. Eriocrania sparrmannella is the latest of the Betula feeding Eriocraniidae, with larvae feeding from mid-June into August. The species is locally but well distributed throughout Britain. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local. http://www.leafmines.co.uk/html/Lepidoptera/E.sparrmannella.htm
Wikipedia reference for Eriocrania sparrmannella: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eriocrania_sparrmannella.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Eriocraniidae
- Genus
- Eriocrania
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Areas where Birch is found.
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly from late April into May. This is followed by the leafmines on Birch. Eriocrania sparrmannella is the latest of the Betula feeding Eriocraniidae, with larvae feeding from mid-June into August.
Additional species information
Recorded status
The species is locally but well distributed throughout Britain. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Eriocrania sparrmannella. 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 Eriocrania sparrmannella (3)
Frequently Asked Questions About Eriocrania sparrmannella
What is Eriocrania sparrmannella?
Eriocrania sparrmannella is a species in the family Eriocraniidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Eriocrania sparrmannella found?
Habitat: Areas where Birch is found.
When is Eriocrania sparrmannella active?
Eriocrania sparrmannella: seasonal activity - Adults fly from late April into May. This is followed by the leafmines on Birch. Eriocrania sparrmannella is the latest of the Betula feeding Eriocraniidae, with larvae feeding from mid-June into August..