Stigmella filipendulae

Stigmella filipendulae is a moth of the family Nepticulidae. It is found from Fennoscandia to the Alps and the Carpathians, and from Ireland to Poland. There is a disjunct population in Greece.

Stigmella filipendulae
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nepticulidae
Genus: Stigmella
Species:
S. filipendulae
Binomial name
Stigmella filipendulae
= (Wocke, 1871)
Synonyms
  • Nepticula filipendulae Wocke, 1871
  • Nepticula ulmariae Wocke, 1879
  • Stigmella ulmariae

The wingspan is 3–5 millimetres (0.12–0.20 in). The head is ferruginous to dark fuscous. Antennal eyecaps yellow-whitish. The forewings are shining golden-brown, sometimes purplish-tinged; a pale golden-metallic vertical fascia beyond middle; apical area beyond this dark purple-fuscous. Hindwings grey.[1] Adults are on wing from July to August and again in September. There are two generations per year.

Distribution and threat level edit

In England, it is found between Leckford and St. Catherine's Hill of Hampshire[2] and is also abundant in North Somerset and southern part of Wiltshire.[3] It is considered endangered in East Sussex and Eastbourne while in West Sussex is considered to be extinct, since there was no recordings of it there since 1905.[4]

Ecology edit

The larvae feed on Filipendula vulgaris and Filipendula ulmaria. They mine the leaves of their host plant. The mine consists of a long, slowly winding corridor. The first part often follows a vein. The frass is concentrated in a narrow central line at first. Later, it is distributed more widely, occupying about two thirds of the width of the mine. Pupation takes place outside of the mine.[5]

References edit

  1. ^ Meyrick, E., 1895 A Handbook of British Lepidoptera MacMillan, London pdf   This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. Keys and description
  2. ^ "Stigmella filipendulae". Hants Moths. Retrieved November 21, 2013.
  3. ^ Brian Pitkin; Willem Ellis; Colin Plant & Rob Edmunds. "Stigmella filipendulae (Wocke, 1871)". UK Fly Mines. Retrieved November 21, 2013.
  4. ^ "Stigmella filipendulae (Wocke, 1871)". Sussex Moth Group. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  5. ^ "Stigmella filipendulae (Wocke, 1871)". Bladmineerders.nl. Retrieved March 26, 2010.

External links edit