Stigmella oxyacanthella
This record describes Stigmella oxyacanthella (species). Recorded family: Nepticulidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 5 to 6 mm. The adults have plain dark forewings with a hint of purple, and an orange head. The leafmine occurs commonly on Hawthorn, and also on Apple, Rowan and Pear and some other species of Rosaceae. It has coiled frass and the larva is bright green with a pale brown head (re. Smart, 2018) The mines are very similar to Stigmella crataegella, but this appears earlier in the year Check the appearance of the larva and the timing of fresh tenanted mines; S oxyacanthella is later in the year. Old vacated mines cannot be determined. In areas where the larval foodplants occur. A single generation species with adults flying in June. The larva mines leaves in September and October. The larvae mine the leaves of Hawthorn, Apple and one or two other species. The mine is initially narrow with linear frass, but becomes wide with reddish frass in neat arcs. It is common throughout much of the British Isles. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.
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
In areas where the larval foodplants occur.
Seasonal Activity
A single generation species with adults flying in June. The larva mines leaves in September and October.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae mine the leaves of Hawthorn, Apple and one or two other species. The mine is initially narrow with linear frass, but becomes wide with reddish frass in neat arcs.
Additional species information
Recorded status
It is common throughout 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 oxyacanthella. 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 oxyacanthella (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Stigmella oxyacanthella
What is Stigmella oxyacanthella?
Stigmella oxyacanthella is a species in the family Nepticulidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Stigmella oxyacanthella found?
Habitat: In areas where the larval foodplants occur.
When is Stigmella oxyacanthella active?
Stigmella oxyacanthella: seasonal activity - A single generation species with adults flying in June. The larva mines leaves in September and October..
What is the life cycle of a Stigmella oxyacanthella?
The larvae mine the leaves of Hawthorn, Apple and one or two other species. The mine is initially narrow with linear frass, but becomes wide with reddish frass in neat arcs.