Phyllonorycter tenerella
Hornbeam Midget
Wingspan 6 to 8 mm. The larva mines the leaves of Hornbeam, causing a narrow tentiform mine between two veins; it is strongly contracted and tubular when mature.
P messaniella occasionaly mines hornbeam, but the mine is usually more oval and less contracted; if in doubt check pupal cremaster (re. Bladmineerders.nl)
Adult 
Leafmine 
Photograph upper and lower surfaces of mine; note host
Where Hornbeam, the larval foodplant occurs.
The adults fly in two generations, in May then again during July and August.
Distributed mainly in the south-east of England, P. tenerella has been occasionally found elsewhere, probably as an introduction with the foodplant. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.
It appears to be uncommon in Leicestershire and Rutland, where there are few records. L&R Moth Group status = D (rare or rarely recorded).
Graham Calow
Sapcote, Donkey Lane
06 July 2020
leafmine on Hornbeam
Graham Calow
Sapcote, Donkey Lane
06 July 2020
leafmine on Hornbeam
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Species profile
- Common names
- Hornbeam Midget
- Species group:
- Moths
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
- Order:
- Lepidoptera
- Family:
- Gracillariidae
- Records on NatureSpot:
- 5
- First record:
- 06/07/2020 (Calow, Graham)
- Last record:
- 02/11/2021 (Leonard, Pete)
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