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Eriocrania sparrmannella
Mottled Purple
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.
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.
Areas where Birch is found.
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.
The species is locally but well distributed throughout Britain. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.
Rare or rarely recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.
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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)
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% of records within its species group
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