Photo © Andy Mitchell

Antispila treitschkiella

Checklist Number
06.0021 [B&F: 0159a]

Verification
Record requires retention of specimen until confirmed, and may require dissection. Consult with CMR if unsure

Classification

Family:Heliozelidae
Subfamily:Heliozelinae
Genus:Antispila
Species:treitschkiella
Authority:(Fischer von Röslerstamm, 1843)

Recently discovered in parts of southern England, north to Oxfordshire, particularly in London area but may be expected to expand in range as it is a likely new adventive to the country. Not recorded in Hampshire and Isle of Wight (as of 2019). Wingspan 6 mm. Forewing costal spot usually trapezoid to almost square but best distinguished by male genitalia, larva and hostplant. The mines are described in the following link:
leafmines.co.uk.

Van Nieukerken et al (Nota Lepidopterologica 41, 2018) documented that the Cornus feeding Antispila species was in fact A. petryi (not previously on the British List) and not A. treitschkiella as previously assigned; therefore all historic records of A. treitschkiella on that foodplant have now been reassigned to petryi.

True Antispila treitschkiella has only recently been found in the UK in the London area (2016). It feeds on Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas) and has two generations a year.

Leaf mines can be found June to July, August until early November, the larva eating out a short gallery leading to a blotch, then cutting an oval case.

Link to article on the discovery of A. treitschkiella in Britain

Reference:van Nieukerken, Lees, Doorenweerd, Koster, Bryner, Schreurs, Martijn, Timmermans, Sattler (2018), Two European Cornus L. feeding leafmining moths, Antispila petryi Martini, 1899, sp. rev. and A. treitschkiella (Fischer von Raslerstamm, 1843) (Lepidoptera, Heliozelidae): an unjustified synonymy and overlooked range expansion, Nota Lepi. 41(1) 2018: 398