15.065 Phyllonorycter esperella (Dark Hornbeam Midget)
ws: 7.5-9.0mm; bivoltine May, Aug; hornbeam (Carpinus betulus); locally common in SE.England
Synonym: P.quinnata (MGBGI2)
Synonym: P.quinnata (MGBGI2)
Phyllonorycter esperella §1 female
ID: Group C - forewing markings appear white on a coloured background; C1D1 not forming a complete transverse fascia; thorax with a white median line; 4C3D; apex of C1 proximal to apex of D1; strigulae with black edging; acute angle between C1 and D1; forewing ground colour orange (not brown); apical streak short (just past C4); basal streak extending to half length of D1 (reaches proximal margin of D1 in P.maestingella). MBGBI2 also states that the caudal tuft is "whitish" in P.esperella and "brownish-fuscous above, white below" in P.maestingella. P.esperella may also differ from similar species in having C1 extend proximally for a short distance along the costa.
Male genitalia: Valvae much longer than costae; costal spines short
Female genital drawings are not available in MBGBI2 but images are presented at Moth Dissection.
Male genitalia: Valvae much longer than costae; costal spines short
Female genital drawings are not available in MBGBI2 but images are presented at Moth Dissection.
§1 Hadleigh Downs, Essex; 22/05/2012; female; fw 4.1mm
§2 Hockley Woods, Essex; 12/05/2014; male; fw 4.1mm
§3 Hockley Woods, Essex; 12/05/2014
§4 Arne, Dorset; 05/07/2016; female; fw 3.5mm
§5 Orlestone Forest, Kent; 04/06/2019; female; fw 3.4mm
§6 Covert Woods, Kent; 09/05/2022; male
All images © Chris Lewis
§2 Hockley Woods, Essex; 12/05/2014; male; fw 4.1mm
§3 Hockley Woods, Essex; 12/05/2014
§4 Arne, Dorset; 05/07/2016; female; fw 3.5mm
§5 Orlestone Forest, Kent; 04/06/2019; female; fw 3.4mm
§6 Covert Woods, Kent; 09/05/2022; male
All images © Chris Lewis
Page published 15/06/2012 | §2&3 added 22/05/2014 | §4 added 07/12/2016 | §5 added 21/01/2020 | §6 added 10/08/2022
