Stigmella tityrella

Alternative names
Small Beech Dot
Small Beech Pigmy
Description

Wingspan 5 to 6 mm. Another of the very similar Nepticulidae, which are best identified by the nature of the larval feeding pattern, usually creating diagnostically-shaped mines in leaves. This species feeds on beech (Fagus sylvatica), creating an S-shaped mine, usually within the confines of two veins.

Identification difficulty

Adult Leafmine

ID guidance
Habitat

Areas where Beech is found.

When to see it

The adults fly in April and May, and again in July and August.

UK Status

Widespread and fairly common over much of the British Isles. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.

VC55 Status

Fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Reference
4.034 BF77

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
Small Beech Pigmy
Species group:
Moths
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Nepticulidae
Records on NatureSpot:
158
First record:
23/08/2014 (Calow, Graham)
Last record:
15/11/2023 (Graves, Hazel)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.

In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.

Latest images

Latest records