Photo © Mike Wall
Xenolechia aethiops
Checklist Number35.154 [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)
VC11 South Hampshire
| Site | Date | Quantity | Recorder | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chandlers Ford (SU42) | 07/05/1922 | five | W Fassnidge | Adult |
| New Forest (SU20) | 07/05/1924 | three | W Fassnidge | Adult |
| New Forest (SU20) | 08/04/1938 | 12 | W Fassnidge | Adult |
| Beaulieu Road, NF (SU30) | 08/04/1938 | - | W Fassnidge | Adult |
| New Forest (SU20) | 09/05/1939 | 30 | L T Ford | Adult |
| Burley, NF (SU20) | 1960 | - | D W H Ffennell | Adult |
| Southampton (SU41) | 1970 | - | David J L Agassiz | Adult |
| Matley Wood, NF (SU30) | 05/05/1970 | - | David J L Agassiz | Adult |
| Beaulieu Road Station (SU30) | 28/04/1973 | one | Richard J Dickson | Adult |
| Chandlers Ford (SU42) | 30/05/2011 | one | Brian Elliott | Adult |
