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| Insects of Britain and Ireland: the families of Lepidoptera |
Adults relatively long-bodied; relatively slender-bodied (wingspan more than 15 times the thoracic width) to medium built (wingspan more than 8 and less than 15 times the thoracic width); wings in repose packed with the forewings directed backwards to cover hindwings and abdomen (moths characteristically posed, with the head end raised, when at rest).
Head usually smooth. Antennae long to very long; extending to about 0.85–1.4 times the length of the forewing. Antennae of males simple; non-ciliate. The antennal scape with a pecten (sometimes?), or without a pecten (usually); not forming an ‘eye cap’. Ocelli absent. Chaetosemata absent (?). Maxillary palps well developed (porrect or ascending); 4 segmented. Labial palps well developed, or short or rudimentary; porrect (but sometimes minute); 3 segmented. Proboscis fully developed; not scaly.
Wingspan 5–14 mm; 12–16 times the thoracic width. Forewings narrow; (2.9–)3.2–5 times as long as wide. Tornus weakly defined to undetectable. The outer and hind margins angled at 130–150 degrees. The outer margin convexly curved; forewings apically blunt; forewings predominantly shining-metallic (e.g., shining-golden, but often shining-white), or exhibiting shining-metallic markings (often with shining spots), or neither shining-metallic nor with shining metallic markings. Hindwings narrow-elongate and very long-fringed; linear-lanceolate; very much narrower than the forewings to quite markedly narrower than the forewings; with a pointed apex. The fringe of the hindwings 2–5 times the width of the membrane. The upper surfaces plain; with neither discal spot nor transverse lines; hindwings with a frenulum.
Neuration of forewings and hindwings dissimilar. Forewings with well developed neuration, or with greatly reduced neuration; 7–13 veined (veins 3, 4, 6, 8 and 11 absent in Phyllonorycter, 3, 8 and 11 often absent in others); with 1 anal vein, or with 2 anal veins. The anal veins of the forewings representing 1b only (with 1c vestigial only, in Phyllonorycter), or comprising 1a and 1b (e.g., in Caloptilia). Forewings exhibiting a tubular vein 1c (this obsolete proximally), or lacking a tubular vein 1c. Vein 1b of the forewings simple. The transverse vein complete, or incomplete. Discal cell of the forewings without a tubular media (M) vein. Hindwings with well developed neuration, or with greatly reduced neuration; 6–9 veined; dubiously with 1 anal vein, or with 2 anal veins (?). The anal veins of the hindwings representing 1b only, or comprising 1a and 1b (?). Hindwings exhibiting vein 1a, or lacking vein 1a (?); theoretically lacking a tubular vein 1c; with a discal cell to without a discal cell. The transverse vein complete, or incomplete to vestigial only (lacking between veins 4 and 5), or lacking. When cell defined, 5 veins arising from the hindwing cell, or 6 veins arising from the hindwing cell. The cell-derived hindwing veins all arising independently of one another, or 5+6 proximally joined (often), or 6+7 proximally joined (rarely), or 5+6 proximally joined and 6+7 proximally joined (rarely). Vein 8 of the hindwings when cell present, completely independent of the cell; not approximating to vein 7.
Fore-legs with a tibial epiphysis. Tibiae of middle legs 2-spurred. Posterior tibiae 4-spurred; not hairy (sometimes bristly).
Eggs, larvae and pupae. Eggs smooth or minutely pitted (?). Larval prolegs 8 (lacking from segment 10). Larvae concealed feeders (Lithocolletinae mining throughout the larval stage and pupating within the mine, Gracillariinae mining at first, before later residing in a folded or rolled leaf); leaf-mining (and sometimes in stems, occasionally in bark). Mostly associated with Dicot trees and shrubs, a few with herbs; seemingly none on Monocots.
Pupae concealed; above the ground; in flowers. Empty pupae protruded from place of concealment.
British representation. Genera 11; 86 species (2 adventive). Caloptilia azaleella (Azalea Leaf-miner), Caloptilia syringella (Lilac Slender-moth), Phyllonorycter coryli (Nut Leaf Blister Moth), Phyllonorycter (Lithocolletis) quercifoliella (Oak Midget, Oak Blotch or Oak Blister Miner), etc.
Classification. Microlepidoptera. Suborder Ditrysia. Superfamily Tineoidea.
See the separate Phyllonorycter package for an illustrated treatment of all the British species of that genus.
Illustrations. • Caloptilia (Gracillaria) syringella (Lilac Slender-moth: B. Ent. 479). • Caloptilia syringella (detail, dissections: B. Ent. 479). • Caloptilia (syringella (legend+text: B. Ent. 479). • Caloptilia syringella (text, cont.: B. Ent. 479). • Callisto denticulella (as Ornix guttea), Ornix petiolella (mainland-European), Deltornix torquillella: Stainton 8, I (1864). GRACILLARIIDAE. 1, Callisto denticulella: larva (1a), and apple leaf with its edge turned down (1b). 2, Ornix petiolella: larva (2a); apple leaf with mine of young larva (2b); another apple leaf with a mine of a young larva, and with its lower parts drawn together by a web spun by the adult larva near the petiole (2b*). 3, Deltaornix torquillella: larva (3a); sloe leaf with mine of a young larva (3b); and sloe leaves screwed up by adult larvae (3b*). Stainton 8, I (1864). • Stainton 8, I (1864): original legend.. • Caloptilia elongella, C. syringella, C. hemidactylella: Stainton 8, II (1864). GRACILLARIIDAE. 1, Caloptilia elongella: larvae (1a, 1a*), and a longitudinally rolled alder leaf (1b). 2, Caloptilia syringella: larva (2a), a mined lilac leaf (2d), and a laterally rolled one (2b*). 3, Caloptilia hemidactylella: larva (3a), and pieces of sycamore leaves rolled conically (3b and 3b*). Stainton 8, II (1864). • Stainton 8, II (1864): original legend.. • Parornix devoniella (as avellanella), P. anglicella, P. fagivora: Stainton 8, III (1864). GRACILLARIIDAE. 1, Parornix devoniella; larva (1a), and a hazel leaf with the mine of a young larva, its edge turned down by an adult larva and a corner near the petiole turned down by one that is about to pupate (1b). 2, Parornix anglicella; larva (2a), and a hawthorn leaf with a mine of a young larva and two cones formed by adult larvae (2b). 3, Parornix fagivora; larva (3a), and a piece of beech leaf with its edge turned down by the adult larva (3b). Stainton 8, III (1864). • Stainton 8, III (1864): original legend.. • Eucalybites auroguttella, Calybites phasianipenella, Leucospilapteryx omissella: Stainton 8, IV (1864). GRACILLARIIDAE. 1, Eucalybites auroguttella; larva (1a), and a sprig of Hypericum with leaves mined and rolled into cones (1b). 2, Leucospilapteryx omissella; adult larva (2a), and a sprig of Artemisia vulgaris with mined leaves (2b). (According to Stainton's text, the red colour depicted here is assumed by the grey-green larva immediately prior to pupation.) 3, Calybites phasianipennella; larva (3a), and a sprig of Polygonum hydropiper with a leaf cut and rolled up into two cones by the larva (3b). Stainton 8, IV (1864). • Stainton 8, IV (1864): original legend.. • Asilapteryx tringipennella, Asilapteryx limosella (mainland-European), Micrurapterix kollariella (spurious British record): Stainton 8, III (1864). GRACILLARIIDAE. 1, Aspilapteryx tringipennella; larva (1a), and a mined leaf of Plantago lanceolata (1b). 2, Aspilapteryx limosella; larva (2a),and sprigs of Teucrium chamaedrys with mined leaves (2b, 2b* and 2b**). 3, Micrurapteryx kollariella (supposedly an erroneous British record); larva (3a), and a twig of broom with mined leaves (3b). Stainton 8, III (1864). • Stainton 8, III (1864): original legend.. • Parectopa ononidis, Aristaea pavoniella (mainland-European), Dialectica imperialella: Stainton 8, V (1864). GRACILLARIIDAE. 1, Parectopa ononidis; larva (1a), and a mined clover leaf (1b). 2, Aristaea pavoniella; larva (2a), and mined leaves of Aster bellidiastrum (2b, 2b*). 3, Dialectica imperialella; larva (3a), and mined leaves of Lathyrus niger (3b, 3b*, 3b**). Stainton 8, V (1864). • Stainton 8, V (1864): original legend.. • Parornix scoticella, P. betulae, P. loganella: Stainton 8, IIa (1864). GRACILLARIIDAE. 1, Parornix scoticella; larva (1a), and some leaflets of Sorbus aucuparia with turned-down edges (1b). 2, Parornix betulae; larva (2a), and a birch leaf with a young larval mine and part of its edge turned down by an older larva (2b). 3, Parornix loganella; larva (3a), and a birch leaf with part of its edge turned down (3b). Stainton 8, IIa (1864). • Stainton 8, IIa (1864): original legend.. • Stainton's representative 'Tineina'. Stainton's TINEINA (Gracillariidae italicised). 2, Ochsenheimeria birdella; 3, Tinea ganomella; 4, Eriocrania salopiella; 5, Nemophora metallica; 6, Swammerdamia pyrella; 7, Yponomeuta sedella; 8, Plutella xylostella; 9, Ypsolopha dentella; 10, Agonopterix alstroemeriana; 11, Pexicopia malvella; 12, Chrysoesthia drurella; 13, Ypsolopha parenthesella; 14, Schiffermuelleria grandis; 15, Scythris grandipennis; 16, Glyphipteryx equitella; 17, Heliozela resplendella; 18, Argyresthia bonnetella; 19, Caloptilia alchimiella; 20, Coleophora lineola; 21, Bedellia somnulentella; 22, Cosmopteryx lienigiella; 23, Mompha propinquella; 24, Elachista gangabella; 25, Elachista maculicerusella; 26, Emmetia marginea; 27, Phyllonorycter acerifoliella; 28, Phyllonorycter stettinensis; 29, Leucoptera malifoliella; 30, Ectoedemia sericopeza. From Stainton (1854, Plate IX). • Phyllonorycter salicolella (specimens): photo. Phyllonorycter salicolella. Mines Bagnall, Staffs., 26/10/52; emerged 3/4/53. R.G. Warren. • P. schreberella (specimens): photo. Phyllonorycter schreberella. 1935, Surbiton, Surrey, mines from G.H.Heath. • The British species of Phyllonorycter. A1, Phyllonorycter roboris; A2, P. harrisella; A3, P. tenerella; A4, A. heegeriella; A5, P. messaniella; A6, P. quercifoliella; A7, P. "alnifoliella" Dup. , = P. strigulatella? B1, P. distentella; B2, P. scopariella; B3, P. ulicicolella; B4, P. quinnata; B5, P. coryli; B6, P. maestingella; B7, P. spinicolella. C1, P. cerasicolella; C2, P. sorbi; C3, and C4, P. mespilella; C5 and C6, P. blancardella; C7, P. oxyacanthae. D1, P. lantanella; D2, P. quinqueguttella; D3, P. junoniella; D4, P. salicicolella; D5, P. viminetorum; D6, P. cavella; D7, P. hilarella. E1, P. ulmifoliella; E2, P. anderidae; E3, P. nigrescentella; E4, P. insignitella; E5, P. lautella; E6, P. schreberella; E7, P. trifasciella. F1, P. emberizaepenella; F2, P. scabiosella; F3, P. tristrigella; F4, P. stettinensis; F5, P. froelichiella; F6, P. nicellii; F7, P. kleemannella. G1, P. salictella ssp. viminiella; G2, P. corylifoliella; G3, P. comparella; G4, P. muelleriella; G5, P. kuhlweiniella; G6, P. acerifoliella; G7, P. geniculella. From Jacobs (1945). • P. acerifoliella (as sylvella), P. messaniella and P. ulmifoliella: Stainton (1855) Plate VI, under Lithocolletis. PYLLONORYCTER. 1, P. acerifoliella: imago (1m), larva (1a), and mined Acer leaf (1b). 2, P. messaniella: imago (2m), larva (2a) and mined leaf of evergreen oak (2b). 3, P. ulmifoliella: imago (3m), larva (3a) and mined birch leaf (3b). • Phyllonorycter roboris and P. harrisella (Oak leaf miners: Stainton 1859). Phyllonorycter roboris (left) and Phyllonorycter harrisella (cramerella). From Stainton (1859, the foliage from Le Maout and Decaisne). • Caloptilia stigmatella: Stainton (1859). • Leucospilapteryx omisella: Stainton (1859). • Larvae of 'Tineina': Stainton (1854). 1, OECOPHORIDAE: Diurnea fagella larva, and (1a) shown between united birch leaves. 2, PSYCHIDIDAE: Taleporia(?) larva, showing cases attached to lichen (2a), and a single case enlarged. 3, YPONOMEUTIDAE: Ochsenheimeria taurella, and (3a) a section of grass stem showing the larva in situ. 4, TINEIDAE: Tineola bisselliella, with a gallery formed in feathers (4a); 4b, a case of Tinea pellionella on a feather. 5, INCURVARIIDAE: Incurvaria praelatella, with a partially devoured wild strawberry leaf (5a), and a case from the underside. 6, Incurvaria pectinea, and (6a) the larva in its case feeding on a fallen oak leaf. 7, Lampronia capitella, with (7a) a currant shoot withering from the effects of the larva feeding in the stem. 8, YPONOMEUTIDAE: Swammerdamia pyrella, with (8a) the larva in its web between united cherry leaves. 9, Yponomeutidae-Plutellinae: Plutella porrectella, and (9a) feeding on a Hesperis leaf. 10, GLYPHIPTERIGIDAE: Orthotelia sparganella, with (10a) an eaten stem of Sparganium. 11. OECOPHORIDAE: Depressaria sp., with (11a) a leaf of Centaurea nigra distorted by its attentions. 12, GELECHIIDAE: Anacampsis temerella, with (12a) a sallow leaf tenanted by it. 13, Metzneria aestivella, with (13a) a sectioned fruiting head of Carlina showing the feeding larva in situ. 14, OECOPHORIDAE: Crassa unitella, and (14a) a piece of decayed wood burrowed by the larvae. 15, GLYPHIPTERIGIDAE: Glyphipteryx equitella, with (15a) shoots of Sedum acre showing the middle one bleached by excavations of the larva. 16, YPONOMEUTIDAE: Argyresthia bonnetella, with (16a) hawthorn shoots eaten by the larva. 17, GRACILLARIIDAE: Caloptilia alchimiella, with (17a) an oak lead exhibiting a cone formed by the larva. 18, OECOPHORIDAE: Agonopterix angelicella, with (18a) its cone on a hawthorn leaf. 19, COLEOPHORIDAE: Coleophora follicularis, with (19a) a mined leaf of Eupatorium, and (19b) the case enlarged. 20, LYONETIIDAE: Bedellia somnulentella, with (20a) a mined Convolvulus arvensis leaf. 21, EPERMENIIDAE: Epermenia chaerophyllellus, with (21a) a portion of Anthriscus sylvestris leaf eaten half through by it. 22, MOMPHIDAE: Chrysoclista linneella, with (22a) a piece of inner bark of lime burrowed by it. 23, ELACHISTIDAE: Elachista maculicerusella. with (23a) a mined Phragmites leaf blade. 24, TISCHERIIDAE: Emmetia marginea, and (24a) a mined bramble leaf. 25, GRACILLARIIDAE: Phyllonorycter quinnata, with (25a) a mined Carpinus leaf. 26, LYONETIIDAE: Leucoptera laburnella, with (26a) a mined Laburnum leaf. 27, Bucculatrix bechsteinella (Bucculatricidae), and a hawthorn leaf eaten half through. 28, NEPTICULIDAE: Nepticula sp., with (28a) a mined Potentilla leaf. From Stainton (1854, Plate X). • Phyllonorycter, Caloptilia: neuration.
We advise against extracting comparative information from the descriptions. This is much more easily achieved using the DELTA data files or the interactive key, which allows access to the character list, illustrations, full and partial descriptions, diagnostic descriptions, differences and similarities between taxa, lists of taxa exhibiting or lacking specified attributes, and distributions of character states within any set of taxa. See also Guidelines for using data taken from Web publications.
Cite this publication as: ‘Watson, L., and Dallwitz, M.J. 2003 onwards. Insects of Britain and Ireland: the families of Lepidoptera. Version: 14th April 2022. delta-intkey.com’.
