Kingdom Animalia Class Insecta Family Nepticulidae Scientific name Stigmella filipendulae | Phylum Arthropoda Order Lepidoptera Genus Stigmella Rank Species | |
Similar Stigmella poterii, Stigmella alnetella, Stigmella myrtillella, Stigmella incognitella, Stigmella confusella | ||
Stigmella filipendulae is a moth of the Nepticulidae family. It is found from Fennoscandia to the Alps and the Carpathians, and from Ireland to Poland. There is a disjunct population in Greece.
Contents
The wingspan is 3–5 millimetres (0.12–0.20 in). Adults are on wing from July to August and again in September. There are two generations per year.
Distribution and threat level
In England, it is found between Leckford and St. Catherine's Hill of Hampshire and is also abundant in North Somerset and southern part of Wiltshire. It is considered endangered in East Sussex and Eastbourne while in West Sussex is considered to be extinct, since there was no recordings of it there since 1905.
Ecology
The larvae feed on Filipendula vulgaris and Filipendula ulmaria. They mine the leaves of their host plant. The mine consists of a long, slowly winding corridor. The first part often follows a vein. The frass is concentrated in a narrow central line at first. Later, it is distributed more widely, occupying about two thirds of the width of the mine. Pupation takes place outside of the mine.