Photo © Mike Wall

Micropterix calthella

Checklist Number
01.005 [B&F: 0005]

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

Classification

Family:Micropterigidae
Subfamily:Micropteriginae
Genus:Micropterix
Species:calthella
Authority:(Linnaeus, 1761)

Common in damp woodland, woodland rides and woodland clearings throughout Britain and Ireland, often swarming on flowers of a wide range of herbaceous plants, such as buttercup, sedges and dog's mercury, feeding on the pollen. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight well distributed and fairly common, sometimes abundant. Wingspan 7-10 mm. Adults have metallic bronze forewings with purple blotch at base, and orange head tufts. Larva feeds on plant detritus and also, perhaps, various liverworts.

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.