Photo © Mike Wall

Argyresthia laevigatella

Checklist Number
20.001 [B&F: 0401]

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

Classification

Family:Argyresthiidae
Subfamily:Argyresthiinae
Genus:Argyresthia
Species:laevigatella
Authority:Herrich-Schäffer, 1855

Local in woodland and plantations throughout the British Isles, although not recorded from northern Scotland, the Outer Hebrides, Orkney or Shetland (MBGBI Vol 3). In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight numerous records in the south of the county and a few for the north, but only one from the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 9-13 mm. Very similar to A. glabratella, from which perhaps best separated by the paler grey forewing A. glabratella, but females can be separated by dissection of the genitalia. Larva mines shoots of European Larch, causing sufficient damage to be a serious pest in some areas.

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)

VC8 Wiltshire (Hants county)

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
West Park (SU11)17/06/2002oneDavid G GreenAdult
West Park (SU11)16/07/2002oneDavid G GreenAdult

VC10 Isle of Wight

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Parkhurst Forest (SZ49)15/05/1983-J R Langmaid, P H SterlingLarval feeding signs

VC11 South Hampshire

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Hut Wood (SU41)1900-CorderAdult
Southampton (SU41)09/06/1936-W FassnidgeAdult
Farley Mount (SU42)26/06/1937-W FassnidgeAdult
Southampton (SU41)1960-David J L AgassizAdult
Ampfield (SU32)1960-D W H FfennellAdult
Lyndhurst (SU30)1960-D W H FfennellAdult
Parkhill Inclosure (SU30)1960-David J L AgassizAdult
Braishfield (SU32)1975-John R Langmaid-
Upham (SU52)1975-D W H FfennellAdult
Catisfield (SU50)03/07/1975oneRichard J DicksonAdult
Havant Thicket (SU71)14/04/1979-D H SterlingLarval
Sparsholt (SU43)27/04/1979-D H SterlingLarval
Southwick (SU60)26/04/1980-J R LangmaidLarval
Havant Thicket (SU71)11/05/1980-J R LangmaidLarval
Southsea (SZ69)19/06/1981oneJ R LangmaidAdult
Winchester (SU42)08/06/1982-D H SterlingAdult
Emer Bog NR (SU32)23/04/1984-J R Langmaid, D H, P H, M J SterlingLarval
Hayling Island (SZ79)01/06/1986oneJohn WaltersAdult
Emer Bog NR (SU32)18/04/1987oneJ R Langmaid, D H, P H SterlingPupal
Southsea (SZ69)05/07/1987oneJ R LangmaidAdult
Southsea (SZ69)01/07/1995oneJ R LangmaidAdult
Southwick (SU60)14/05/2003oneJ R Langmaid, I R ThirlwellLarval feeding signs
Ashurst, NF (SU31)23/05/2008oneKeith GodfreyAdult
Busketts Wood, Ashurst (SU31)31/05/2008threeKeith GodfreyAdult
Ashurst, NF (SU31)31/05/2009oneKeith GodfreyAdult
Ashurst, NF (SU31)03/06/2009oneKeith GodfreyAdult
Winchester (SU42)16/07/2010oneTim WalkerAdult
Winchester (SU42)23/07/2010oneTim WalkerAdult
Sandy Point LNR (SZ79)01/06/2011oneAndy JohnsonAdult
Ashurst, NF (SU31)19/06/2013oneKeith GodfreyAdult
Ashurst, NF (SU31)20/06/2013oneKeith GodfreyAdult
Ashurst, NF (SU31)19/07/2013oneKeith GodfreyAdult
Gosport (SU60)25/07/2017oneKevin IlsleyAdult
Southsea (SZ69)13/07/2019oneJ R LangmaidAdult
Stoney Moor, NF (SZ29)15/07/2019-Chris LewisAdult

VC12 North Hampshire

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Alice Holt (SU84)1960-T G WinterAdult
Leckford Estate (SU33)1960-D W H FfennellAdult
Chilbolton (SU34)1960-D W H FfennellAdult
Morgaston Wood (SU65)05/06/2010oneMike WallAdult
Morgaston Wood (SU65)06/05/2011oneMike WallAdult
Chawton Park Wood, Medstead (SU63)29/05/2011oneJonty DentonAdult