Stigmella sakhalinella

Alternative names
Birch Dot
Small Birch Pigmy
Description

Wingspan 4 to 4.6 mm. The adult moths are similar to several other species in the group, and it may not be possible to identify adult to species level even by gen det. The larvae mine various Birch species.  The gallery is almost filled with coiled frass, leaving an intermittent transparent zone at either side. The corridor mostly begins close to the leaf margin, often near the tip of the leaf. The egg is usually on the underside of leaf.  

Similar Species

Stigmella continuella also has coiled frass

Identification difficulty

Adult Leafmine  

Recording advice

Adult: It may not be possible to identify adults to species level, even by gen det.

Leafmine: A photograph of the mine which must be backlit to show the frass pattern.  Note the host plant and if possible the egg position.

Habitat

Where Birch, the larval host species, is present.

When to see it

Adults are on wing in May and again from July to August.

Life History

Pupation takes place outside of the mine.

UK Status

In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.

VC55 Status

Rare, or rarely recorded, in Leicestershire and Rutland. The Leicester, Gilroes Cemetery record of 8th November 2019 was the first for Leicestershire and Rutland.

Reference
4.006 BF113

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Small Birch Pigmy
Species group:
Moths
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Nepticulidae
Records on NatureSpot:
13
First record:
08/11/2019 (Timms, Sue)
Last record:
07/08/2024 (Timms, Sue)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

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