Eriocrania sparrmannella

Alternative names
Splendid Spring Jewel
Mottled Purple
Description

Wingspan 10 to 13 mm.  The adult moths are very attractive when viewed closely, having a metallic golden ground colour, intensely speckled with purple and blue. There is also a golden tornal spot. Like related species, the larva mines a leaf of the foodplant (Birch), starting with a narrow gallery, leading to a blotch filled with filament-like threads of frass.

Identification difficulty

Adult Leafmine (larva and leafmine must be photographed)

Recording advice

Adult: Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. In the comments box, state the key or ID method used and describe the size and identifying characters.  The specimen should be retained as genitalia determination may be required for adults of this species.

Leafmine: The mine and larva must be photographed for this species. If the photo doesn't show the key ID features then in the comments box describe the size and identifying characters you have observed.

Habitat

Areas where Birch is found.

When to see it

Adults fly from late April into May. This is followed by the leafmines on Birch. Eriocrania sparrmannella is the latest of the Betula feeding Eriocraniidae, with larvae feeding from mid-June into August.

UK Status

The species is locally but well distributed throughout Britain. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.

VC55 Status

Rare or rarely recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Reference
2.004 BF9

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Mottled Purple
Species group:
Moths
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Eriocraniidae
Records on NatureSpot:
12
First record:
29/06/2019 (Timms, Sue)
Last record:
10/07/2024 (Calow, Graham)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.

In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.

Latest images

Latest records