Dyseriocrania subpurpurella

Alternative names
Common Spring Jewel
Common Oak Purple
Eriocrania subpurpurella
Description

Wingspan 9-14 mm. The moths have metallic golden wings, lightly speckled with purplish or blue tiny spots. The relatively uncommon form fastuosella is much more richly marked with purple spots or striations.

Identification difficulty

Adult

Leafmine

ID guidance

Leafmine occurs on Oak, care is needed to avoid confusion with fly mines http://www.leafmines.co.uk/html/Lepidoptera/E.subpurpurella2.htm

Habitat

Woodland areas, and around Oaks

When to see it

This species is quite an early flyer, being on the wing in April and May, and despite being generally diurnal, is often found in light-traps at night.

Life History

The larvae feed internally on leaves of Oak, and create a distinctive 'blotch mine'.

UK Status

It is common throughout the whole of Britain except the very North of Scotland.

VC55 Status

Fairly common in Leicestershire and Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = A (common and resident)

Reference
2.001 BF6

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
Common Oak Purple
Species group:
Moths
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Eriocraniidae
Records on NatureSpot:
53
First record:
23/04/2010 (Skevington, Mark)
Last record:
19/06/2023 (Calow, Graham)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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