Photo © Tony Davis

Stigmella myrtillella

Checklist Number
04.036 [B&F: 0072]

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:myrtillella
Authority:(Stainton, 1857)

Local in woodland, heathland and moorland throughout much of Britain, reported as favouring high ground. There are old records for Burley and Beaulieu in the south of the county and Woolmer Forest in the north, with evidence of occurrence in the Pamber Forest area more recently. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. In July, and later in autumn, the larva mines the leaves of Bilberry (and away from our area, Bog Bilberry), forming a contorted gallery with a central line of frass, which then widens out to a false blotch. The adult has dark purplish wings with a whitish fascia, orange head and white eyecaps, but will generally need rearing or dissection to be accepted in this stage.

VC11 South Hampshire

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Beaulieu (SU30)1880-A C HerveyLarval
Burley, NF (SU20)1948-Scarsdale C S BrownLarval

VC12 North Hampshire

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Woolmer Forest (SU73)1890-A C HerveyLarval
Pamber Forest (SU66)21/09/2017-Graham J DennisMine (vacated)

VC22 West Berkshire (Hants county)

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Benyon's Enclosure (SU66)14/11/2004fiveGraham DennisMine (vacated)