Photo © David Shenton

Phyllonorycter mespilella

Checklist Number
15.045 [B&F: 0325]

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

Classification

Family:Gracillariidae
Subfamily:Lithocolletinae
Genus:Phyllonorycter
Species:mespilella
Authority:(Hübner, [1805])

Nationally scarce (Nb) in woodland throughout much of England, southern Wales and eastern Ireland. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight like the foodplant, very rare, and restricted to just a handful of sites. Wingspan 6-8 mm. Similar to P. oxyacanthae, which see for differences. Imago rarely seen at light, and more likely to be recorded in the larval stage. Larva mines leaves of Wild Service-tree, over-wintering as a pupa in a cocoon.

The abundance in each month is indicated as follows:

No records
Very occasional
Irregular
Uncommon
Off-peak, but not unusual
Off-peak, but not unusual
Main flight time
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Adult
Larval

Records by week (adult)

No Adult records to show.

Records by week (larval)

VC8 Wiltshire (Hants county)

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
West Park (SU11)13/10/2001-David G GreenLarval

VC10 Isle of Wight

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Parkhurst Forest (SZ49)1973twoD W H FfennellMine (vacated)
Nunney's Wood (SZ48)05/07/1995oneDavid BiggsLarval
Parkhurst Forest (SZ49)21/07/2004oneJ M ChevertonMine

VC11 South Hampshire

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Swanmore (SU51)23/10/1988-J R LangmaidMine
St Catherine's Hill, Winchester (SZ19)10/10/2013-Phil BuddMine

VC12 North Hampshire

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Pamber Forest (SU66)30/09/2002oneGraham DennisMine
Pamber Forest (SU66)27/09/2016-Graham J DennisMine (vacated)
Pamber Forest (SU66)20/08/2017-Graham J DennisMine (vacated)
Pamber Forest (SU66)22/08/2017-Graham J DennisMine (vacated)
Pamber Forest (SU66)14/08/2018-Graham J DennisMine (vacated)
Pamber Forest (SU66)15/10/2019oneGraham J DennisMine (vacated)
Pamber Forest (SU66)18/10/2020-Graham J DennisMine