Photo © Stephen Rolls

Antispila metallella

Checklist Number
06.001 [B&F: 0158]

Verification
Record will normally be accepted but photo evidence may be required - check with CMR if not sure of identity

Classification

Family:Heliozelidae
Subfamily:Heliozelinae
Genus:Antispila
Species:metallella
Authority:([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

Local in woodland, and on downland and scrubland throughout much of England. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight reasonably common and well-distributed, but largely absent from the New Forest. Wingspan 7.5-8.5 mm. Adults are day-flying, and the species is more frequently recorded in the larval stage, when mines are relatively easy to find where they are present. Larva mines leaves of Dogwood, subsequently living within a movable case, over-wintering as a pupa. The mines are described in the following link:
leafmines.co.uk
.

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)