Stigmella tityrella
This record describes Stigmella tityrella (species). Recorded family: Nepticulidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 5 to 6 mm. Another of the very similar Nepticulidae, which are best identified by the nature of the larval feeding pattern, usually creating diagnostically-shaped mines in leaves. This species feeds on beech (Fagus sylvatica), creating an S-shaped mine that starts at a leaf axil and heads outwards, usually within the confines of two veins. The mine of Stigmella hemargyrella usually starts near the leaf margin and winds towards the centre. The adults fly in April and May, and again in July and August. Widespread and fairly common over 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.tityrella.htm https://bladmineerders.nl/parasites/animalia/arthropoda/insecta/lepidoptera/monotrysia/nepticuloidea/nepticulidae/stigmella/stigmella-tityrella/
Wikipedia reference for Stigmella tityrella: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stigmella tityrella.
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 Beech is found.
Seasonal Activity
The adults fly in April and May, and again in July and August.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Widespread and fairly common over 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 tityrella. 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 tityrella (4)
Frequently Asked Questions About Stigmella tityrella
What is Stigmella tityrella?
Stigmella tityrella is a species in the family Nepticulidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Stigmella tityrella found?
Habitat: Areas where Beech is found.
When is Stigmella tityrella active?
Stigmella tityrella: seasonal activity - The adults fly in April and May, and again in July and August..