Stigmella glutinosae
This record describes Stigmella glutinosae (species). Recorded family: Nepticulidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult wingspan is 4.4 to 5.2 mm - Similar to many other Stigmella , forewing brown/bronze with pale yellowy-white narrow fascia. The larvae of this moth mine the leaves of Alder, producing a gallery with frass partly dispersed, but sometimes in a thin line (similar to that of Stigmella alnetella ). The leafmine can only be recorded when the larva is present. Mature Stigmella glutinosae larva has a brown head and a pale brown rectangular plate on the ventral surface of the prothorax, which is lacking in mature Stigmella alnetella . S tigmella glutinosae larvae mine leave with their underside (venter) upwards; Stigmella alnetella with the upper surface (dorsum) up. Mines can only be recorded if larvae are present - check head coloration and whether larva lies venter or dorsum up in mine. Almost fully developed mines are needed to see this clearly, so rear through to later stage if necessary. Larval mines may be found where Alder is present. Larval mines may be found when Alder is in leaf between May and October. Adults are on wing in May. There are two generations per year. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local. http://www.leafmines.co.uk/html/Lepidoptera/S.glutinosae.htm https://bladmineerders.nl/parasites/animalia/arthropoda/insecta/lepidoptera/monotrysia/nepticuloidea/nepticulidae/stigmella/stigmella-glutinosae/
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
Larval mines may be found where Alder is present.
Seasonal Activity
Larval mines may be found when Alder is in leaf between May and October. Adults are on wing in May. There are two generations per year.
Additional species information
Recorded status
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 Stigmella glutinosae. 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 glutinosae (6)
Frequently Asked Questions About Stigmella glutinosae
What is Stigmella glutinosae?
Stigmella glutinosae is a species in the family Nepticulidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Stigmella glutinosae found?
Habitat: Larval mines may be found where Alder is present.
When is Stigmella glutinosae active?
Stigmella glutinosae: seasonal activity - Larval mines may be found when Alder is in leaf between May and October. Adults are on wing in May. There are two generations per year..