Stigmella confusella
This record describes Stigmella confusella (species). Recorded family: Nepticulidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 5 to 6 mm. The larva mines the leaves of Birch. The leafmine is similar in appearance to that of S. lapponica , but has a black central line of frass throughout, unlike that species. The adult moths are similar to several other species in the group, and it may not be possible to identify adult to species level even by gen det. Stigmella lapponica also has narrow linear frass, but only in later part of mine Adult: It may not be possible to identify adult to species level even by gen det. Leafmine: Photographs required including a backlit image to show frass pattern. Please state host plant when adding your record. The adults are on the wing during May, and the leafmines can be found from June into August. Distributed widely across much of 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.confusella.htm https://bladmineerders.nl/parasites/animalia/arthropoda/insecta/lepidoptera/monotrysia/nepticuloidea/nepticulidae/stigmella/stigmella-confusella/
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Nepticulidae
- Genus
- Stigmella
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Wherever Birch is found.
Seasonal Activity
The adults are on the wing during May, and the leafmines can be found from June into August.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
This is a single-brooded species.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Distributed widely across much of 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 confusella. 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 confusella (9)
Frequently Asked Questions About Stigmella confusella
What is Stigmella confusella?
Stigmella confusella is a species in the family Nepticulidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Stigmella confusella found?
Habitat: Wherever Birch is found.
When is Stigmella confusella active?
Stigmella confusella: seasonal activity - The adults are on the wing during May, and the leafmines can be found from June into August..
What is the life cycle of a Stigmella confusella?
This is a single-brooded species.