Photo © Mike Wall

Gracillaria syringella

Checklist Number
15.014 [B&F: 0293]

Verification
Record will be accepted (subject to date and location checks)

Classification

Family:Gracillariidae
Subfamily:Gracillariinae
Genus:Gracillaria
Species:syringella
Authority:(Fabricius, 1794)

Common in gardens and woodland throughout the British Isles, as far north as Shetland. Widespread and common in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight, where the distribution of records show continuous presence from April to September with only a small trough in June, indicating protracted emergence of the first generation. Wingspan 10-13 mm. Imago seldom encountered at light, and more likely to be recorded in the larval stage, when mines are relatively easy to find where they are present. Imago similar to C. cuculipennella. Larva mines leaves of Privet (both wild and cultivated), Ash and Lilac, subsequently living gregariously within a leaf-roll, causing sufficient damage to be a serious pest in some areas, 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)