Parornix torquillella
Blackthorn Slender
Deltaornix torquillella
Wingspan 9 to 10 mm. The adults are difficult to separate from some Parornix species, especially Parornix finitimella, and genitalia examination is usually necessary to identify them.
The two mines are identical, but the larvae are quite different; Parornix torquillella is green with green legs, P. finitimella grey with blackish legs.
Only tenanted leaf-mines can be recorded. Photographs must show the mine on the leaf, and the larva clearly showing the colour of front (thoracic) legs
Areas where Blackthorn is present.
The moths fly from May to July, and are sometimes attracted to light.
The main foodplant of this species is Blackthorn in common with its close relative, Parornix finitimella.
Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.
It appears to be uncommon in Leicestershire and Rutland, where there are few records. L&R Moth Group status = D Possibly rarely recorded due to problems of identification.
Leicestershire & Rutland Map
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Species profile
- Common names
- Blackthorn Slender
- Species group:
- Moths
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
- Order:
- Lepidoptera
- Family:
- Gracillariidae
- Records on NatureSpot:
- 10
- First record:
- 09/06/2013 (Calow, Graham)
- Last record:
- 20/09/2022 (Calow, Graham)
Total records by month
% of records within its species group
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