Photo © Mike Wall

Argyresthia glabratella

Checklist Number
20.002 [B&F: 0403]

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:glabratella
Authority:(Zeller, 1847)

Nationally scarce (Nb) in coniferous woodland and plantations throughout much of Britain, as far north as Aberdeenshire, but not recorded from Ireland; records from the north are few (MBGBI Vol 3). In Hampshire most frequently encountered at Havant Thicket, with evidence of breeding in Botley Wood and West Wood, Wickham: the first and so far only North Hampshire record came from Chawton Wood in 2023. An adult was taken at light in Bournemouth in 2018. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 8-11 mm. Very similar to A. laevigatella, which see for differences. Larva mines shoots of Norway Spruce.

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)

VC11 South Hampshire

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Southampton (SU30)10/06/1937-W FassnidgeAdult
Itchen Valley CP (SU42)06/06/1966-D W H FfennellAdult
Southampton (SU30)26/06/1967oneDavid J L AgassizAdult
West Walk, Wickham (SU51)16/04/1976-John R LangmaidLarval
Havant Thicket (SU71)17/04/1976-John R LangmaidLarval
Botley Wood (SU50)19/06/1983oneJ R Langmaid, D H SterlingAdult
Botley Wood (SU50)02/06/1985oneJ R Langmaid, E C Pelham-Clinton, D H SterlingAdult
Havant Thicket (SU71)18/04/2002oneJ R Langmaid, B ElliottLarval
Havant Thicket (SU71)03/04/2003-J R Langmaid, B ElliottLarval feeding signs
Havant Thicket (SU71)16/04/2013oneJ R Langmaid, D J L AgassizLarval feeding signs
Bournemouth (SZ19)31/05/2018oneDavid EvansAdult

VC12 North Hampshire

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Chilbolton (SU33)1967oneD W H FfennellAdult
Chawton Wood (SU63)25/02/2023oneTony DavisLarval feeding signs