Tiny 2.5mm black & white moth

[JRsbugs]

This was on a Primrose leaf, taken on 9th June 09. One so small it would go unnoticed usually! Love the ear muffs! Does anyone know it?

Janet

[charlieb]

Ectoedemia quinquella - ukmoths describes it as "a local species, distributed mostly in the south-east of England"; it's also a Nb species - where was it found?

[JRsbugs]

Originally Posted by charlieb

Ectoedemia quinquella - ukmoths describes it as "a local species, distributed mostly in the south-east of England"; it's also a Nb species - where was it found?

Thanks charlie! It was on a Primrose leaf in a bed which is near an Oak tree, I left the few leaves on the bed so it has most likely come from fallen leaves as they emerge in June. Another good reason to leave leaves on the ground!

I'm about 10 miles south of Lincoln centre, which is far north of their supposed distribution! But I have found quite a few insects which should not be here, lol!

Leaf and stem mines of British flies and other insects - Ectoedemia quinquella [Nepticulidae]

[charlieb]

Might be an idea to contact Colin Smith, the county recorder - I'd suspect he'd be interested in the record.

I can PM his email and address if you want.

[JRsbugs]

Originally Posted by charlieb

Might be an idea to contact Colin Smith, the county recorder - I'd suspect he'd be interested in the record.

I can PM his email and address if you want.

OK I think that is a very good idea! Yes please give me his email address.

[JRsbugs]

I had another pic of a similar moth, named it in a hurry last night but it was bothering me as I knew I only kept the best two pics of Ectoedemia quinquella! It doesn't have the extra white blotch but I think it was the same size and in the same area. Only got one pic of this but it shows the main features.

This was on 29th May.

[charlieb]

Ectoedemia subbimaculella/heringi - both are predominantly south-eastern but you seem to be breaking all the rules at the moment

[JRsbugs]

Originally Posted by charlieb

Ectoedemia subbimaculella/heringi - both are predominantly south-eastern but you seem to be breaking all the rules at the moment

Oh well, I never did take much notice of rules!

I looked up both, it does fit Ectoedemia heringi more except for the time as they fly in July, but that I guess could be stretched a month! UKmoths doesn't say when Ectoedemia subbimaculella flies. Mine does have more white at the base of the wings as mentioined for E. heringi.

I thought I should wait until I had a name for the second one before I contact Colin but I will send them both so he can decide.

Now I wonder what he would say about my Sandhill Rustic which I do not and cannot have!

[charlieb]

Originally Posted by JRsbugs

I looked up both, it does fit Ectoedemia heringi more except for the time as they fly in July, but that I guess could be stretched a month! UKmoths doesn't say when Ectoedemia subbimaculella flies.

Looking at a few other records online shows a couple of flights in May - June, and it has been quite hot lately

[poschiavanus]

Have a look at the maps compiled by Rob Edmunds for these species on the British Leaf Miners site: herengi, quinquella. Quite a few grid squares for the former in Lincolnshire.