Stigmella lapponica
This record describes Stigmella lapponica (species). Recorded family: Nepticulidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 5 to 7 mm. The adults are coarsely-scaled and dull greyish-brown with an indistinct creamy fascia. The larva mine the leaves of Birch. The mine is long, filled with green frass to ¼, and then linear. The larva is a greenish white, head brown. Stigmella confusella has narrow linea frass throughout mine Adult: Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. In the comments box, state the key or ID method used and describe the size and identifying characters. Leafmine: When recording the mine, provide backlit photographs and note the host Adults of this single-generation species are on the wing in May. Tenanted mines may be encountered from mid-June to early July. Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common. http://www.leafmines.co.uk/html/Lepidoptera/S.lapponica.htm https://bladmineerders.nl/parasites/animalia/arthropoda/insecta/lepidoptera/monotrysia/nepticuloidea/nepticulidae/stigmella/stigmella-lapponica/
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Nepticuloidea
- Family
- Nepticulidae
- Genus
- Stigmella
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Associated with Birch.
Seasonal Activity
Adults of this single-generation species are on the wing in May. Tenanted mines may be encountered from mid-June to early July.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain. 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 lapponica. 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 lapponica (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Stigmella lapponica
What is Stigmella lapponica?
Stigmella lapponica is a species in the family Nepticulidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Stigmella lapponica found?
Habitat: Associated with Birch.
When is Stigmella lapponica active?
Stigmella lapponica: seasonal activity - Adults of this single-generation species are on the wing in May. Tenanted mines may be encountered from mid-June to early July..