Photo © Rob Edmunds

Scrobipalpa nitentella

Checklist Number
35.115 [B&F: 0815]

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

Classification

Family:Gelechiidae
Subfamily:Gelechiinae
Genus:Scrobipalpa
Species:nitentella
Authority:(Fuchs, 1902)

Nationally scarce (Nb) on saltmarshes and sandy beaches along parts of the coast of the British Isles. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight apparently absent from the southern coast of the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 12-15 mm. Can be confused with several other members of the genus: S. obsoletella is generally more obscurely marked and has less fuscous irroration; some forms of S. samadensis approach S. nitentella, although the latter species usually appears more grey; similar forms of S. salinella are usually less heavily irrorate and have more distinct stigmata; one form of S. suaedella is similar, but this form has the stigmata less well marked and with less fuscous irroration than S. nitentella; often can only reliably be separated from these species by dissection of the genitalia (MBGBI Vol 4 part 2). Larva mines leaves of Goosefoot, Annual Sea-blite, Sea-purslane, Grass-leaved Orache, Spear-leaved Orache and Glasswort, subsequently living within a silken tube or tent, and over-wintering as a pupa.

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)

Records by week (larval)