Stigmella trimaculella
This record describes Stigmella trimaculella (species). Recorded family: Nepticulidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
A tiny moth with a wingspan of 5 to 6 mm. The adults are rather attractive, with brownish grey forewings each with three creamy patches. The larva mine the leaves of Lombardy Poplar, Black Poplar and Hybrid Black-poplar. The mines are quite variable in shape, but usual begin with a narrow black central line of frass. The larva sometimes continues feeding in a 'green island' in a fallen leaf Photograph mine with backlight, and note host species in comments Areas where the larval foodplant is present. The larvae mine the leaves of Poplar (Populus), with variable characteristics. The mines are found in late June and July and from September to October. Distributed throughout England, where it is fairly common except in the west; there are records from Scotland and Wales, but very few. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common. http://www.leafmines.co.uk/html/Lepidoptera/S.trimaculella.htm https://bladmineerders.nl/parasites/animalia/arthropoda/insecta/lepidoptera/monotrysia/nepticuloidea/nepticulidae/stigmella/stigmella-trimaculella/
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
Areas where the larval foodplant is present.
Seasonal Activity
They fly in May and again in August.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae mine the leaves of Poplar (Populus), with variable characteristics. The mines are found in late June and July and from September to October.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Distributed throughout England, where it is fairly common except in the west; there are records from Scotland and Wales, but very few. 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 trimaculella. 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 trimaculella (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Stigmella trimaculella
What is Stigmella trimaculella?
Stigmella trimaculella is a species in the family Nepticulidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Stigmella trimaculella found?
Habitat: Areas where the larval foodplant is present.
When is Stigmella trimaculella active?
Stigmella trimaculella: seasonal activity - They fly in May and again in August..
What is the life cycle of a Stigmella trimaculella?
The larvae mine the leaves of Poplar (Populus), with variable characteristics. The mines are found in late June and July and from September to October.