Photo © Andy Mitchell

Stigmella assimilella

Checklist Number
04.040 [B&F: 0074]

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

Classification

Family:Nepticulidae
Subfamily:Nepticulinae
Genus:Stigmella
Species:assimilella
Authority:(Zeller, 1848)

Local in woodland throughout much of south-eastern England and in the Scottish Highlands. Probably under-recorded in Hampshire, where the extent of known records correlate with those areas in which the recording effort is concentrated. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight since 1973. Wingspan 5.4-6.2 mm. Adults difficult to distinguish from other Stigmella species, and more frequently recorded in the larval stage, when mines are relatively easy to find where they are present. Larva mines leaves of Aspen, 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)

VC10 Isle of Wight

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
St Helens (SZ68)29/09/1973-D W H FfennellLarval

VC11 South Hampshire

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Botley Wood (SU51)1980-John R Langmaid-
Browndown (SZ59)26/08/1985-J R Langmaid, D H SterlingMine (vacated)
Havant Thicket (SU71)26/10/1986-J R Langmaid, D H SterlingMine (vacated)
Hayling Island (SZ79)01/11/1990-John R LangmaidMine
Botley Wood (SU50)03/11/1990-John R LangmaidMine (vacated)
Botley Wood (SU51)1991-Richard J DicksonLarval
Hayling Island (SZ79)16/07/1991-John R LangmaidMine
Botley Wood (SU50)30/09/1991oneJ R Langmaid, R J DicksonMine
Hayling Island (SZ79)03/11/1992-John R LangmaidMine (vacated)
Hayling Island (SZ79)17/10/1996-J R Langmaid, I R ThirlwellMine
Hayling Island (SZ79)02/09/1997-J R Langmaid, I R ThirlwellMine
Cams Bay, Fareham (SU50)10/10/1997twoJ R Langmaid, D J L Agassiz, J C KosterMine (vacated)
Hayling Island (SZ79)14/10/1997-J R Langmaid, J C KosterLarval
Hayling Island (SZ79)07/09/1998oneJ R Langmaid, M G M JansenMine (vacated)
Browndown (SZ59)17/09/2002-J R Langmaid, B ElliottMine
Havant Thicket (SU71)12/11/2003-J R Langmaid, B ElliottMine (vacated)
Hayling (SZ69)23/08/2005-J R Langmaid, B ElliottMine (vacated)
Bell's Copse, Havant Thicket (SU71)02/10/2007-J R Langmaid, B ElliottMine
Havant Thicket (SU71)26/09/2008twoJ R Langmaid, A M DavisMine
Hayling Island (SZ79)29/09/2009oneJ R Langmaid, B ElliottMine (vacated)
Hayling Island (SZ79)03/09/2010oneJ R Langmaid, M R, J E YoungMine (vacated)
Oxleys Coppice, Fareham (SU50)05/10/2011twoJ R Langmaid, R J DicksonMine (vacated)
Botley Wood (SU50)15/09/2012twoTony DavisMine (vacated)
Havant Thicket (SU71)07/10/2014threeJ R Langmaid, M R YoungMine
Staunton CP (SU70)04/11/2014-J R Langmaid, I R ThirlwellMine (vacated)
Hayling (SZ69)04/10/2015oneJ R Langmaid, M R, J E YoungMine (vacated)
Marwell Zoological Park (SU52)12/09/2016oneDavid S HubbleMine
Staunton CP (SU70)02/11/2016-J R Langmaid, J W PhillipsMine
Hayling (SZ69)05/09/2019-J R Langmaid, J W PhillipsMine (vacated)
Hayling Island (SZ79)05/09/2019oneJ R Langmaid, J W PhillipsMine (vacated)
Staunton CP (SU70)17/09/2019oneJ R Langmaid, I R Thirlwell & J W PhillipsMine (vacated)
Botley Wood (SU50)26/09/2021fourDan HoughtonMine (vacated)
Botley Wood (SU50)17/10/2021oneDavid WallaceMine (vacated)
Botley Wood (SU50)06/08/2022-Dan HoughtonMine (vacated)
Portswood (SU41)09/11/2023-Jack OughtonMine

VC12 North Hampshire

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Fleet Pond (SU85)07/10/1997-David G GreenLarval
Fleet (SU75)29/08/2003oneRob EdmundsLarval
Fleet (SU75)17/10/2004-Rob EdmundsLarval
Fleet (SU75)10/09/2005-Rob EdmundsLarval
Pamber Forest (SU66)05/09/2006-J R Langmaid, B ElliottMine (vacated)
Fleet (SU75)03/10/2007-Rob EdmundsMine
Butterwood, Greywell (SU75)11/10/2007-Rob Edmunds, Tim Norriss, Paul BoswellMine
Fleet (SU75)08/11/2007-Rob EdmundsMine
Black Wood, Micheldever (SU54)10/10/2011-David G GreenLarval
Axmansford (SU56)18/10/2014oneAndy C BoltonMine
Yateley Common (SU85)17/09/2021-Josie HewittMine
Yateley Common (SU85)27/05/2022oneBen DaleAdult
Castle Bottom NNR (SU75)26/08/2023-Tony DavisMine (vacated)

VC22 West Berkshire (Hants county)

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Burnt Common (SU66)02/10/2004oneGraham DennisMine