2023 Annual Report for: Gracillariidae / Phyllocnistinae

For species seen in 2023 that had less than or equal to 100 records, full details are included; for more common species, the earliest, latest and highest count by vice-county are shown. The narrative for each species is taken from the main Hantsmoths website, and it is possible that some information on abundance and occurrence can get out of date, as it is impossible to keep up with all changes; however it should give a good introduction to each species. The tables in each species account summarise the previous status, and that for the current year.

For the maps, all records prior to 2023 are shown by a blue dot (the larger the dot, the more recent), with the current year's records shown in red. As previous records are superimposed on any report for 2023, new sites have greater emphasis (i.e. will show as 'more red').

In the species accounts, an asterisk next to a location indicates a new 10km square record; earliest ever dates are highlighted in orange, and latest ever in red. Initials in the species accounts refer to the recorders listed here. Please get in touch if you identify any omissions or errors, in particular if you have records that have yet to be submitted. Details of how to submit records can be found here.

15.090 [B&F: 0367] Phyllocnistis saligna (Zeller, 1839) - Local

Local in fens, marshes, river-banks and other damp areas throughout southern England. In Hampshire known only from a handful of sites, including Fleet, Greywell Moors, Southsea and Leckford, but perhaps under-recorded. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 6-7 mm. The imago can be separated from other Phyllocnistis only by dissection of the genitalia (females only, males are indistinguishable). Larva mines leaves of Purple Willow Salix purpurea. See the leafmines.co.uk newsletter that describes the mines of the four species in the complex.

Records prior to 2023

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
11543819002022
12431619832022

2023 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
11200
12298

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC11: Hook Lake, Hook, vacated mine, present, 31 Jul; Cams Bay, Fareham, vacated mine, present, 24 Sep (AMD);

VC12: Fleet Pond, one, netted, 09 Sep (MHals); Blackwater Park, larva, eight, field observation, 23 Apr (BGD)

15.091 [B&F: 0367a] Phyllocnistis ramulicola Langmaid & Corley, 2007 - Nationally Scarce A

Nationally scarce (Na) in damp woodland in southern England. First discovered in 2006 as new to science in Havant Thicket, Hampshire, subsequently found more widely in Hampshire and adjacent counties. In 2007, found to be widespread, and hence likely to have been a long-term, previously undiscovered resident. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 6-7 mm. The imago can be separated from other Phyllocnistis only by dissection of the genitalia (females only, males are indistinguishable). Larva mines the stem of various willow Salix sp. See the leafmines.co.uk newsletter that describes the mines of the four species in the complex.

Records prior to 2023

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
11612420062022
1281220072020

2023 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
11700
1211717

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

No Adult records to show.

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC11: Blashford Lakes HIWWT NR, mine, present, salix caprea, 14 Oct; mine, present, salix caprea, 14 Oct; mine, present, salix caprea, 14 Oct; mine, present, salix caprea, 14 Oct; mine, present, salix caprea, 14 Oct; mine, present, salix caprea, 14 Oct; mine, present, salix caprea, 14 Oct (JOug);

VC12: Blackwater Park*, larva, 17, field observation, 23 Apr (BGD)

15.092 [B&F: 0368] Phyllocnistis unipunctella (Stephens, 1834) - Common

Common in woodland, areas with scattered trees and gardens throughout much of southern England and southern Wales, with records north to Cheshire. Probably under-recorded in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight, where the extent of known records correlate with those areas in which the recording effort is concentrated. Wingspan 7-8 mm. Comes readily to light, the second generation often overwinters in thatch or hayricks (MBGBI Vol 2). Larva mines leaves of Black Poplar and Lombardy Poplar.

Records prior to 2023

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10502319752022
11597100619802022
12301419822022

2023 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
11211

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC11: Blashford Lakes HIWWT NR*, mine, present, hybrid poplar, 14 Oct (JOug); Portsmouth, one, 18 Jul (IRT)

15.093 [B&F: 0369] Phyllocnistis xenia Hering, 1936 - Nationally Scarce B

Nationally scarce (Nb) along river banks and in damp woodland. First discovered in eastern Kent in 1974, subsequently rapidly spreading throughout south-eastern England. First recorded on the Isle of Wight in 2002, and in Hampshire in the following year; mines are locally common on White and Grey Poplar in the Portsmouth area and on Hayling Island. Wingspan 6-7 mm.

Records prior to 2023

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10452920022022
111023520002022
122120212022

2023 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
11500

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC11: Cams Bay, Fareham, vacated mine, present, 24 Sep (AMD); Havant, mine, present, populus alba, 05 Jul (JOug); Hengistbury Head, mine, present, many mines on White Poplar regrowth. , 28 Sep (MJef); Sinah Common, vacated mine, present, 12 Jul; Sandy Point NR, Hayling Island, vacated mine, present, on White Poplar and Aspen, 03 Oct (AMD)