Phyllonorycter klemannella
This record describes Phyllonorycter klemannella (species). Recorded family: Gracillariidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 7 to 9 mm. The larva mines the leaves of Alder, creating a tentiform mine between two veins on the underside, with a winkled surface withut sharp folds. The larva is white or yellow, and the pupa is in a cocoon with frass heaped to one side. It can be similar to mines of P rajella or P froehlichiella . If in doubt, examine larva or pupa. (ref. Bladmineerders.nl) Photogrpah the under-surface of the mine, and larva/pupa. Note host species The adults fly mostly in August, but the species may produce two broods a year, with moths also recorded in May. The larva feeds on alder, forming a small blotch mine on the underside of a leaf. Sometimes several larvae mine the same leaf. Distributed throughout mainland Britain, though rare in the southern half of Scotland and in Ireland, it can be common in places. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common. http://www.leafmines.co.uk/html/Lepidoptera/P.kleemannella.htm https://bladmineerders.nl/parasites/animalia/arthropoda/insecta/lepidoptera/ditrysia/gracillarioidea/gracillariidae/lithocolletinae/phyllonorycter/phyllonorycter-klemannella/
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Gracillariidae
- Genus
- Phyllonorycter
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Around Alder.
Seasonal Activity
The adults fly mostly in August, but the species may produce two broods a year, with moths also recorded in May.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larva feeds on alder, forming a small blotch mine on the underside of a leaf. Sometimes several larvae mine the same leaf.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Distributed throughout mainland Britain, though rare in the southern half of Scotland and in Ireland, it can be common in places. 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 Phyllonorycter klemannella. 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 Phyllonorycter klemannella (3)
Frequently Asked Questions About Phyllonorycter klemannella
What is Phyllonorycter klemannella?
Phyllonorycter klemannella is a species in the family Gracillariidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Phyllonorycter klemannella found?
Habitat: Around Alder.
When is Phyllonorycter klemannella active?
Phyllonorycter klemannella: seasonal activity - The adults fly mostly in August, but the species may produce two broods a year, with moths also recorded in May..
What is the life cycle of a Phyllonorycter klemannella?
The larva feeds on alder, forming a small blotch mine on the underside of a leaf. Sometimes several larvae mine the same leaf.