Rose Leaf Miner
Stigmella anomalella
This record describes Stigmella anomalella (species). Recorded family: Nepticulidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 5 to 6 mm. The adult moths have plain bronzy wings, tinged greenish on the inner two-thirds, and slightly reddish towards the tip. The leaves of wild and cultivated roses are mined. The mine is a long, sinuous gallery which often crosses back over itself. The frass is initially green and cloudy, filling the mine, but later is a thick black central line. The transition between the two stages is very marked. Backlit photo of mine; note host species Around roses, where the evidence of the mines usually denotes the presence of this species. There are two generations, with moths flying in May and August, the larval mines occurring in July and from October to November. The larva mines the leaves of roses, both cultivated and wild varieties. A fairly common species throughout the British Isles.In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common. http://www.leafmines.co.uk/html/Lepidoptera/S.anomalella.htm
Wikipedia reference for Stigmella anomalella: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stigmella anomalella.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Nepticuloidea
- Family
- Nepticulidae (Pygmy Eye-capped Moths)
- Genus
- Stigmella
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Around roses, where the evidence of the mines usually denotes the presence of this species.
Seasonal Activity
There are two generations, with moths flying in May and August, the larval mines occurring in July and from October to November.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larva mines the leaves of roses, both cultivated and wild varieties.
Additional species information
Recorded status
A fairly common species throughout the British Isles.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 Stigmella anomalella. 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 Rose Leaf Miner (8)
Frequently Asked Questions About Rose Leaf Miner
What is Rose Leaf Miner?
Rose Leaf Miner (Stigmella anomalella) is a species in the family Nepticulidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Rose Leaf Miner found?
Habitat: Around roses, where the evidence of the mines usually denotes the presence of this species.
When is Rose Leaf Miner active?
Rose Leaf Miner: seasonal activity - There are two generations, with moths flying in May and August, the larval mines occurring in July and from October to November..
What is the life cycle of a Rose Leaf Miner?
The larva mines the leaves of roses, both cultivated and wild varieties.