Stigmella aurella
This record describes Stigmella aurella (species). Recorded family: Nepticulidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 6-7 mm. Adults may only be identified via dissection or if reared from a leaf mine [when orange head colouration separates from black head of S. splendidissimella ]. The leaf mines are common on Bramble and other herbaceous species in the Rosaceae (e.g. Herb Bennet and Agrimony). It is usually a long meandering gallery with dispersed frass, but can have a narrow, neater central frass line that is similar to Stigmella spendidissimella . Old mines become white and persist over winter. The adults of other Stigmella spp. The mines can be very similar to Stigmella splendidissimella mines Leafmine occurs on a number of plants including Bramble, Wild Strawberry, Agrimony and various Geum species. If possible photograph with backlght, showing frass pattern. Leaf mines with a central narrow undispersed line of frass cannot be identifed and should be reared through to adult. Areas where the larval foodplants are present. Tenanted mines typically found May-June, July-August and October-March. This species is one of the commonest and most widespread in the British Isles.
Wikipedia reference for Stigmella aurella: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stigmella aurella.
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
Areas where the larval foodplants are present.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Tenanted mines typically found May-June, July-August and October-March.
Additional species information
Recorded status
This species is one of the commonest and most widespread in the British Isles.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Stigmella aurella. 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 Stigmella aurella (9)
Frequently Asked Questions About Stigmella aurella
What is Stigmella aurella?
Stigmella aurella is a species in the family Nepticulidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Stigmella aurella found?
Habitat: Areas where the larval foodplants are present.
What is the life cycle of a Stigmella aurella?
Tenanted mines typically found May-June, July-August and October-March.