Review of 2019 and 2020 - Moths: Slenders and Midgets (Gracillariidae) (part 7: Cameraria and Phyllocnistis Leaf-miners)

SLENDERS and MIDGETS (GRACILLARIIDAE) (continued)


Maple Midget Phyllonorycter acerifoliella - None in 2019 but new to my garden in 2020 when I caught 3, on 31st July and 5th and 8th August.  Also found at the meadows on 27th April and 17th May 2020.

male Maple Midget Phyllonorycter acerifoliella, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 27th April 2020

male Maple Midget Phyllonorycter acerifoliella, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 17th May 2020

male Maple Midget Phyllonorycter acerifoliella, North Elmham, 8th August 2020

White-bodied Midget Phyllonorycter joannisi - None.  I've only ever seen this species at one location (Bittering) where good numbers were found on Norway Maple trunks in 2014 (and fewer in 2017) but I didn't look here in 2019-20.  The capture of Etainia sericopeza here in my garden suggests Norway Maple may grow nearby so finding this joannisi here must be feasible too.


Sycamore Midget Phyllonorycter geniculella - One in my garden trap on 28th September 2019 was the first adult I've ever seen.  Another caught here on 22nd August 2020 was an interesting individual as both valvae showed a long hooked spine on the tip.  I'm not sure how unusual that is but on all the photos of this species' genitalia that I've found so far this spine is only present on the left valva.  I assume it is a variant of this species rather than some exotic species that I've never heard of...  Incidentally, I always gen det these now, after finding what looked absolutely perfect for this species at the meadows in 2018.  My suspicions were aroused because it was flying around Field Maple some distance away from Sycamore so I checked its genitalia and sure enough it was in fact acerifoliella despite its external appearance.

female Sycamore Midget Phyllonorycter geniculella, North Elmham, 28th September 2019

male Sycamore Midget Phyllonorycter geniculella, North Elmham, 22nd August 2020

Horse-chestnut Leaf-miner Cameraria ohridella - 6 in my garden trap between 23rd July and 8th August 2019 and 34 between 20th May and 15th September 2020.  Previous annual totals here had varied between 9 and 21 so these were my worst and best ever years here.  Plenty of them at the meadows though including thousands of mines near the chapel and 20 adults flying beneath them on 16th September 2020.  Elsewhere one next door in 2019 and one at Bintree Wood in 2020.

Horse-chestnut Leaf-miner Cameraria ohridella, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 19th April 2019

Horse-chestnut Leaf-miner Cameraria ohridella, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 13th July 2020

Willow Bent-wing Phyllocnistis saligna - One in my garden trap on 4th August 2019 and a record 8 between 29th July (when 3) and 5th August 2020.  I've trapped this species here every full year I've lived here with 5 in each of the previous 2 years (though I didn't submit some of them as I was caught out when it was lingering as a 'grade 4' for a bit due to potential confusion with a species that hasn't occurred in Norfolk; looks like a more pragmatic approach has been taken now at least until such time as ramulicola is found in Norfolk too).  I checked most in 2019-20 just in case.

male Willow Bent-wing Phyllocnistis saligna, North Elmham, 4th August 2019

male Willow Bent-wing Phyllocnistis saligna, North Elmham, 4th August 2020

male Willow Bent-wing Phyllocnistis saligna, North Elmham, 5th August 2020

Poplar Bent-wing Phyllocnistis unipunctella - One netted at the meadows on 11th September 2019 in the same area as I netted 4 one day in early September 2018.  This is clearly a good place for them despite being 300 yards from the nearest poplars.  I've only ever had one of these at home (in 2016).

Poplar Bent-wing Phyllocnistis unipunctella, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows, 11th September 2019

Kent Bent-wing Phyllocnistis xenia - None.  I've never seen this recent colonist but with records from north Norfolk, east Norfolk (lots), Norwich area (lots), south Norfolk and west Norfolk it's high time the big glaring gap in the middle of Norfolk got filled.


Next page: Yponomeutidae

Birch Mocha

I had the Yellow-legged Clearwing lure out again on 19th July, more in hope of getting another Orange-tailed Clearwing than Yellow-legged (they come to the same lure), but I was nonetheless impressed with a monster haul of 7 Yellow-legged Clearwings.  I also had the Raspberry Clearwing lure out but only caught a Common Wasp at that one.

Just 201 moths of 55 species that night with two new for the year: Large Beech Piercer Cydia fagiglandana and Canary-shouldered Thorn. I always think Canary-shoulderd Thorns signal the start of the end of the season, which was not a welcome sign as this season has barely started to get going.

Large Beech Piercer Cydia fagiglandarna, North Elmham, 19th July

Canary-shouldered Thorn, North Elmham, 19th July

The others were Hawthorn Ermine Paraswammerdamia nebulella, Common Oak Case-bearer Coleophora lutipennella, Apple & Plum Case-bearer Coleophora spinella, Clover Case-bearer Coleophora alcyonipennella, 2 Little Dwarfs Elachista canapennella, Cinerous Neb Bryotropha terrella, Gorse Crest Brachmia blandella, 2 Orange Crests Helcystogramma rufescens, Four-spotted Obscure Oegoconia quadripuncta, Privet Tortrix Clepsis consimilana, Flax Tortrix Cnephasia asseclana, Bright Bell Eucosma hohenwartiana, Hoary Bell Eucosma cana, 2 Marbled Piercers Cydia splendana, 77 Straw Grass-veneers Agriphila straminella, Small Grey Eudonia mercurella, Ringed China-mark Parapoynx stratiotata, Beautiful China-mark Nymphula nitidulata, 5 Mother of Pearls Pleuroptya ruralis, Rosy Tabby Endotricha flammealis, Thicket Knot-horn Acrobasis suavella, Grey Knot-horn Acrobasis advenella, Pebble Hook-tip, 2 Least Carpets, 3 Small Fan-footed Waves, 10 Single-dotted Waves, Riband Wave, 4 Red Twin-spot Carpets, Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet, Magpie Moth, Clouded Border, Brimstone Moth, 3 Scalloped Oaks, Poplar Hawk-moth, Lesser Swallow Prominent, Swallow Prominent, 3 Yellow-tails, 3 Dingy Footmen, Scarce Footman, 13 Common Footmen, 5 Buff Ermines, Large Yellow Underwing, 2 Bright-line Brown-eyes, 5 Smoky Wainscots, Common Wainscot, Dun-bar, 5 Dark Arches, Lesser Common Rustic, 16 Uncertains, 3 Rustics, Nut-tree Tussock, Silver Y and Beautiful Hook-tip.

Other insects included 2 Blue-winged Olives Serratella ignita, the caddisfly Hydropsyche siltalai, the beetle Hydrobius fuscipes and a new species for the garden, 14-spot Ladybird.

14-spot Ladybird, North Elmham, 19th July

The following night was a substantial improvement and I think the best night of the year so far with 741 moths of 145 species.  Mind you, this did include 298 Straw Grass-veneers Agriphila straminella! The highlight was a new macro for the garden, and a species I'd only ever seen twice before: Birch Mocha.

Birch Mocha, North Elmham, 20th July

New Pine Knot-horn Dioryctria sylvestrella was only my second, following one here in 2015.

New Pine Knot-horn Dioryctria sylvestrella (male, gen det), North Elmham, 20th July

There were 2 Grey Ermines Yponomeuta sedella, another species I'd only previously seen in 2015 (though three times that year).

Grey Ermine Yponomeuta sedella, North Elmham, 20th July

The following were all new for the year: Ribwort Slender Aspilapteryx tringipennella, Long-streak Midget Phyllonorycter salicicolella, Red Birch Midget Phyllonorycter ulmifoliella, Willow Bent-wing Phyllocnistis saligna, Golden Argent Argyresthia goedartella, Purple Argent Argyresthia albistria, Honeysuckle Moth Ypsolopha dentella, Wainscot Smudge Ypsolopha scabrella, Two-spotted Neb Eulamprotes atrella, House Neb Bryotropha domestica, Brown China-mark Elophila nymphaeata, 2 Small Purple & Golds Pyrausta aurata, Small Phoenix, Least Yellow Underwing, Mouse Moth and Dingy Shears.

Long-streak Midget Phyllonorycter salicicolella (male, gen det), North Elmham, 20th July

Red Birch Midget Phyllonorycter ulmifoliella (male, gen det), North Elmham, 20th July

Willow Bent-wing Phyllocnistis saligna, North Elmham, 20th July

Honeysuckle Moth Ypsolopha dentella, North Elmham, 20th July

Wainscot Smudge Ypsolopha scabrella, North Elmham, 20th July

Two-spotted Neb Eulamprotes atrella, North Elmham, 20th July

Small Purple and Gold Pyrausta aurata, North Elmham, 20th July

Small Phoenix, North Elmham, 20th July

Least Yellow Underwing, North Elmham, 20th July

Mouse Moth, North Elmham, 20th July

Dingy Shears, North Elmham, 20th July

There were a couple of species that I only had for the first time very recently: Chestnut Pigmy Stigmella samiatella and Common Case-bearer Coleophora serratella.

The rest were probable Spotted Black Pigmy Ectoedemia subbimaculella, Bordered Carl Coptotriche marginea, Pale-backed Clothes Moth Monopis crocicapitella, Brown Birch Slender Parornix betulae, 4 Horse-Chestnut Leaf-miners Cameraria ohridella, 13 Bird-cherry Ermines Yponomeuta evonymella, Little Ermine Swammerdamia pyrella, 2 Hawthorn Ermines Paraswammerdamia nebulella, 3 Diamond-backs Plutella xylostella, Common Oak Case-bearer Coleophora lutipennella, 2 Clover Case-bearers Coleophora alcyonipennella, Pistol Case-bearer Coleophora anatipennella, Little Dwarf Elachista canapennella, Small Dingy Tubic Borkhausenia fuscescens, 4 Brown House Moths Hofmannophila pseudospretella, 10 Long-horned Flat-bodies Carcina quercana, Common Groundling Teleiodes vulgella, 5 Cinerous Nebs Bryotropha terrella, 4 Gorse Crests Brachmia blandella, 3 Orange Crests Helcystogramma rufescens, Four-spotted Obscure Oegoconia quadripuncta, 2 Dingy Dowds Blastobasis adustella, 2 Common Yellow Conches Agapeta hamana, Knapweed Conch Agapeta zoegana, Burdock Conch Aethes rubigana, Privet Tortrix Clepsis consimilana, Light Brown Apple-moth Epiphyas postvittana, Red-barred Tortrix Ditula angustiorana, 2 Grey Tortrixes Cnephasia stephensiana, 2 Maple Buttons Acleris forsskaleana, Barred Marble Celypha striana, 4 Common Marbles Celypha lacunana, Brown Elm Bell Epinotia abbreviana, Holly Tortrix Rhopobota naevana, 2 Bright Bells Eucosma hohenwartiana, 9 Hoary Bells Eucosma cana, 2 Marbled Piercers Cydia splendana, Bulrush Veneer Calamotropha paludella, 3 Garden Grass-veneers Chrysoteuchia culmella, Inlaid Grass-veneer Crambus pascuella, 298 Straw Grass-veneers Agriphila straminella, 11 Common Grass-veneers Agriphila tristella, 5 Pearl Grass-veneers Catoptria pinella, Chequered Grass-veneer Catoptria falsella, Water Veneer Acentria ephemerella, 3 Common Greys Scoparia ambigualis, 2 Base-lined Greys Scoparia basistrigalis, 2 Little Greys Eudonia lacustrata, 2 Small Greys Eudonia mercurella, Beautiful China-mark Nymphula nitidulata, Small Magpie Anania hortulata, 2 Dusky Pearls Udea prunalis, 29 Mother of Pearls Pleuroptya ruralis, Double-striped Tabby Hypsopygia glaucinalis, 6 Rosy Tabbies Endotricha flammealis, Grey Knot-horn Acrobasis advenella, Beautiful Knot-horn Rhodophaea formosa, Ash-bark Knot-horn Euzophera pinguis, Ermine Knot-horn Phycitodes binaevella, Brown Plume Stenoptilia pterodactyla, 2 Pebble Hook-tips, 2 Buff Arches, Least Carpet, 7 Small Fan-footed Waves, 2 Dwarf Cream Waves, 15 Single-dotted Waves, 8 Riband Waves, 5 Red Twin-spot Carpets, 5 Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpets, 4 Large Twin-spot Carpets, Garden Carpet, 2 Shaded Broad-bars, 3 Common Carpets, Yellow Shell, 5 Small Rivulets, Sandy Carpet, 2 Slender Pugs, Wormwood Pug, 10 Double-striped Pugs, Small Yellow Wave, 4 Clouded Borders, 3 Brimstone Moths, 2 Early Thorns, Scalloped Oak, 3 Peppered Moths, 6 Willow Beauties, Mottled Beauty, Common Wave, 2 Clouded Silvers, Elephant Hawk-moth, Pale Prominent, Chocolate-tip, 5 Yellow-tails, 7 Rosy Footmen, 22 Dingy Footmen, 4 Scarce Footmen, 2 Buff Footmen, 13 Common Footmen, Buff Ermine, Turnip Moth, 2 Shuttle-shaped Darts, 2 Flames, Flame Shoulder, Large Yellow Underwing, Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing, 10 Double Square-spots, 2 Nutmegs, Dot Moth, 4 Clays, 3 Smoky Wainscots, 3 Dun-bars, 12 Dark Arches, Light Arches, 3 Cloaked Minors, Common Rustic, 4 Dusky Sallows, 2 Ear Moths, 2 Fen Wainscots, Small Rufous, 20 Uncertains, 3 Rustics, 4 Nut-tree Tussocks, 4 Snouts and 3 Fan-foots.

Pale-backed Clothes Moth Monopis crocicapitella, North Elmham, 20th July

Mayflies and lacewings consisted of 8 Blue-winged Olives Serratella ignita, Chrysoperla carnea agg., Dichochrysa prasina and 2 Micromus variegatus.

Among the caddisflies Cyrnus flavidus was new for the year and there were 3 Hydropsyche pellucidula, 3 Hydropsyche siltalai, Limnephilus flavicornis, Limnephilus lunatus, Molanna angustata, Athripsodes aterrimus and Grouse Wing Mystacides longicornis.

Cyrnus flavidus, North Elmham, 20th July

I don't think either of the Macrotylus bugs are particularly common but after getting 3 records of Macrotylus solitarius last year I thought I might get more again this year.  In fact I have now had two records of the other one, Macrotylus horvathi, the second one being tonight.  The only other true bug was Forest Bug (or Red-legged Shieldbug) which was new for the year.  There were also 2 of the leafhopper Iassus lanio.

Macrotylus horvathi, North Elmham, 20th July

Among the beetles Amara apricaria was new for the garden and Harlequin Ladybird was new for the year excluding those that remained in my study after hibernating at the end of last year.  Other beetles were 2 Strawberry Seed Beetles Harpalus rufipes, Hydrobius fuscipes and 2 Common Red Soldier Beetles Rhagonycha fulva.

Amara apricaria, North Elmham, 20th July

Magpie and Canary

Monday 10th July was another poor night with just 35 moth species, none of which were new for the year.  They were Little Dwarf Elachista canapennella, 2 Orange Crests Helcystogramma rufescens, 4 Barred Marbles Celypha striana, Common Marble Celypha lacunana, Triangle-marked Roller Ancylis achatana, 11 Garden Grass-veneers Chrysoteuchia culmella, 2 Pearl Veneers Agriphila straminella, Pale Water-veneer Donacaula forficella, Small Magpie Anania hortulata, 5 Mother of Pearls Pleuroptya ruralis, Double-striped Tabby Hypsopygia glaucinalis, Rosy Tabby Endotricha flammealis, Bee Moth Aphomia sociella, 2 Blood-veins, Small Fan-footed Wave, 7 Single-dotted Waves, 7 Riband Waves, Shaded Broad-bar, 2 Early Thorns, Scalloped Oak, Engrailed, Common Wave, 2 Pale Prominents, 2 Yellow-tails, 14 Dingy Footmen, 16 Common Footmen, Buff Ermine, 2 Double Square-spots, Brown-line Bright Eye, Smoky Wainscot, Dusky Sallow, 16 Uncertains, 4 Rustics, Nut-tree Tussock and Fan-foot.

Pale Water-veneer Donacaula forficella, North Elmham, 10th July

Double-striped Tabby Hypospygia glaucinalis, North Elmham, 10th July

Other insects included the mayfly Pond Olive Cloeon dipterum, the caddisfly Hydropsyche pellucidula, the water beetles Ilybius fuliginosus and Rhantus suturalis and a Brown Chafer.

There weren't many more species the following night but two were new for the year: Knapweed Conch Agapeta zoegana and Magpie Moth.

Magpie Moth, North Elmham, 11th July

The other moths that night were Bird-cherry Ermine Yponomeuta evonymella, Dark Fruit-tree Tortrix Pandemis heparana, Grey Tortrix Cnephasia stephensiana, Flax Tortrix Cnephasia asseclana, 2 Common Marbles Celypha lacunana, Many-plumed Moth Alucita hexadactyla, 18 Garden Grass-veneers Chrysoteuchia culmella, 2 Grass-veneers Crambus pascuella, Pearl Grass-veneer Catoptria pinella, Elder Pearl Anania coronata, 5 Mother of Pearls Pleuroptya ruralis, 3 Rosy Tabbies Endotricha flammealis, White Plume Pterophorus pentadactyla, Common Emerald, Small Blood-vein, 10 Small Fan-footed Waves, 10 Single-dotted Waves, 9 Riband Waves, Shaded Broad-bar, Sharp-angled Carpet, V-Pug, Willow Beauty, Engrailed, Pale Prominent, Yellow-tail, 2 Rosy Footmen, 26 Dingy Footmen, 18 Common Footmen, Large Yellow Underwing, Bright-line Brown-eye, 3 Smoky Wainscots, Dun-bar, Common Rustic, Dusky Sallow, 8 Uncertains, 4 Rustics and 2 Fan-foots.  Other insects were 2 Pond Olives Cloeon dipterum, a Hydropsyche pellucidula and a Brown Chafer.

Next day there was a Comma in the garden and a Dark Groundling Bryotropha affinis inside the house.  That evening was very poor for moths with just Orange Crest Helcystogramma rufescens, Garden Grass-veneer Chrysoteuchia culmella, 4 Scalloped Oaks, Willow Beauty, 3 Common Footmen, Buff Ermine, 2 Smoky Wainscots, 3 Uncertains and 3 Rustics.

The following night was a considerable improvement with Willow Bent-wing Phyllocnistis saligna, Common Oak Case-bearer Coleophora lutipennella, Yarrow Case-bearer Coleophora argentula, Body-marked Case-bearer Coleophora clypeiferella, Bulrush Cosmet Limnaecia phragmitella, Small China-mark Cataclysta lemnata and Canary-shouldered Thorn all new for the year.

Willow Bent-wing Phyllocnistis saligna, North Elmham, 13th July

Common Oak Case-bearer Coleophora lutipennella (male, gen det), North Elmham, 13th July

Yarrow Case-bearer Coleophora argentula (male, gen det), North Elmham, 13th July

Body-marked Case-bearer Coleophora clypeiferella, North Elmham, 13th July

Bulrush Cosmet Limnaecia phragmitella, North Elmham, 13th July

Canary-shouldered Thorn, North Elmham, 13th July

Other moths that night were 10 Bird-cherry Ermines Yponomeuta evonymella, Little Dwarf Elachista canapennella, New Tawny Tubic Batia lunaris, 2 Long-horned Flat-bodies Carcina quercana, Gorse Crest Brachmia blandella, 2 Orange Crests Helcystogramma rufescens, London Dowd Blastobasis lacticolella, Hook-marked Straw Moth Agapeta hamana, 2 Large Fruit-tree Tortrixes Archips podana, White-triangle Button Acleris holmiana, Garden Rose Tortrix Acleris variegana, Barred Marble Celypha striana, Common Marble Celypha lacunana, Holly Tortrix Rhopobota naevana, 3 Hoary Bells Eucosma cana, Two-coloured Bell Eucosma obumbratana, 25 Garden Grass-veneers Chrysoteuchia culmella, Grass-veneer Crambus pascuella, 8 Pearl Veneers Agriphila straminella, Water Veneer Acentria ephemerella, Common Grey Scoparia ambigualis, Little Grey Eudonia lacustrata, Beautiful China-mark Nymphula nitidulata, Small Magpie Anania hortulata, 3 Elder Pearls Anania coronata, 9 Mother of Pearls Pleuroptya ruralis, Rosy Tabby Endotricha flammealis, Grey Knot-horn Acrobasis advenella, Common Plume Emmelina monodactyla, Chinese Character, Least Carpet, 5 Small Fan-footed Waves, 2 Dwarf Cream Waves, 9 Single-dotted Waves, 2 Riband Waves, Red Twin-spot Carpet, Shaded Broad-bar, Barred Straw, Small Rivulet, 2 Clouded Borders, 2 Brimstone Moths, 2 Early Thorns, Scalloped Oak, Willow Beauty, Clouded Silver, 3 Poplar Hawk-moths, 2 Coxcomb Prominents, Pale Prominent, Yellow-tail, 9 Rosy Footmen, 25 Dingy Footmen, Scarce Footman, 2 Buff Footmen, 16 Common Footmen, 4 Buff Ermines, 2 Double Square-spots, 2 Nutmegs, 2 Brown-line Bright Eyes, 2 Smoky Wainscots, Dun-bar, 2 Slender Brindles, 2 Common Rustics (plus one Common Rustic agg.), 13 Uncertains, 4 Rustics, Marbled White Spot, Nut-tree Tussock and 2 Fan-foots.  Also a Brown Chafer and the leafhopper Iassua lanio.

Shaded Broad-bar, North Elmham, 13th July

Grey Ermine

Another lifer on the night of 29th July, this time a Grey Ermine Yponomeuta sedella.  Although records are widespread in east Norfolk, there are only a very few records in the western vice-county (VC28).  Like mine, those that have been recorded in VC28 are only just in the vice-county, with no records yet for most of the west of the county.

Grey Ermine Yponomeuta sedella, North Elmham, 29th July

Also new for the year were Willow Bent-wing Phyllocnistis saligna and Dingy Dowd Blastobasis adustella.

Willow Bent-wing Phyllocnistis saligna, North Elmham, 29th July

Other moths that night were Cinereous Groundling Bryotropha terrella, Orange Crest Helcystogramma rufescens, Maple Button Acleris forsskaleana, 3 Barred Marbles Celypha striana, Garden Grass-veneer Chrysoteuchia culmella, 14 Pearl Veneers Agriphila straminella, 2 Common Grass-veneers Agriphila tristella, Small Grey Eudonia mercurella, Small Magpie Eurrhypara hortulata, Mother of Pearl Pleuroptya ruralis, Rosy Tabby Endotricha flammealis, Blood-vein, 2 Small Fan-footed Waves, 3 Single-dotted Waves, Red Twin-spot Carpet, Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet, July Highflyer, Slender Pug, 4 Clouded Borders, Scalloped Oak, Peppered Moth, Poplar Hawkmoth, Coxcomb Prominent, Yellow-tail, 4 Dingy Footmen, 13 Common Footmen, 3 Buff Ermines, Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing, Double Square-spot, Clay, 4 Common Rustics, Common Rustic agg., 15 Uncertains, 3 Rustics, Burnished Brass and Snout.

The next evening (30th) was the worst for ages - a paltry 23 moths of 13 species - more like March!  They were 4 Pearl Veneers Agriphila straminella, Single-dotted Wave, Early Thorn, Scalloped Oak, Willow Beauty, Coxcomb Prominent, Yellow-tail, 4 Common Footmen, Buff Ermine, Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing, 5 Uncertains, Rustic and Spectacle.

Fortunately things improved the following night - more on that later...