Photo © Mike Wall

Xenolechia aethiops

Checklist Number
35.154 [B&F: 0763]

Verification
Record will require further evidence, at least a good photograph, unless CMR is aware recorder has confidence in identification

Classification

Family:Gelechiidae
Subfamily:Gelechiinae
Genus:Xenolechia
Species:aethiops
Authority:(Humphreys & Westwood, 1845)

Rare (proposed as a future Red Data Book species) on heathland and moorland in parts of Britain, formerly more widespread. Recorded in Hampshire for the first time at Chandlers Ford on 7 May 1922, then intermittently near Beaulieu Road station and at a few other sites in and around the New Forest from 1938 until 1973, but apparently not since. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 16-20 mm. Similar to dark specimens of Teleiopsis diffinis (which usually has scattered buff scales on the forewing) and Carpatolechia decorella (which has yellowish subcostal streak) (MBGBI Vol 4 part 2). Larva mines leaves of Bell Heather, subsequently living within a spinning.

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)

No Larval records to show.

VC11 South Hampshire

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Chandlers Ford (SU42)8163fiveW FassnidgeAdult
NF (SU20)8894threeW FassnidgeAdult
NF (SU20)08/04/193812W FassnidgeAdult
Beaulieu Road, NF (SU30)08/04/1938-W FassnidgeAdult
NF (SU20)09/05/193930L T FordAdult
Burley, NF (SU20)1960-D W H FfennellAdult
Southampton (SU41)1970-David J L AgassizAdult
Matley Wood, NF (SU30)05/05/1970-David J L AgassizAdult
Beaulieu Road Station (SU30)28/04/1973oneRichard J DicksonAdult
Chandlers Ford (SU42)30/05/2011oneBrian ElliottAdult