Caloptilia semifascia

Alternative names
Maple Stilt
Maple Slender
Description

Wingspan 10 to 12 mm. The angled light streak starting at the leading edge of the forewing is characteristic, but it can be obscured on darker specimens.

Identification difficulty

Adult Leafmine must be reared to adult

Habitat

Wherever Acer species are present, notably Field Maple, Sycamore or Norway Maple.

When to see it

Flies from late July to October and again, after hibernating, until May.

Life History

Has been recorded on various Acer spp., including Field Maple, Sycamore and Norway Maple. Caloptilia spp. mines & cones on Acer spp. are no longer considered to be reliably identifiable without rearing to adult for det. This follows the colonisation of Caloptilia honoratella and the re-colonisation of Caloptilia hemidactylella, a re-appraisal of foodplant preferences, plus potential for colonisation by other European Acer-feeding Caloptilia spp.

Plant C, (2022), The Status of Caloptilia honoratella (Rebel, 1914) and Caloptilia hemidactylella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1774) in Britain with a note on two similar additional Acer-feeding Caloptilia that might appear in Britain (Lep,; Gracillariidae). Entomologist's Rec. J. Var. 134;1, 21-39

UK Status

It is widespread in southern England and South Wales, but Outlying populations occur in Caernarvonshire-Denbighshire and in Cumbria-Yorkshire. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.

VC55 Status

Occasional in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Reference
15.012 BF290

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
Maple Slender
Species group:
Moths
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Gracillariidae
Records on NatureSpot:
31
First record:
07/08/2014 (Baker, Rodney)
Last record:
22/11/2023 (Graves, Hazel)

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