Recent Status: A rare and local species in Suffolk, mainly associated with ancient woodland.
Life Style: A single brooded species flying during April. The larvae mine an elongate blotch along the edge of a leaf of Carpinus and Corylus during April and May.
Identification: The adult Eriocrania species are individually variable. Genitalia dissection is required to separate E. sangii, E. semipurpurella, Paracrania chrysolepidella, E. unimaculella and E. cicatricella. E. salopiella has a beige or ochre head and thorax. E. sparrmannella is deep purple with the golden spots forming transverse fascia. E. sangii has slightly larger spots basal of the tornal spot and a denser set of smaller spots beyond and large spots on the dorsum.. E. cicatricella has larger spots arranged longitudinally and often elongate. Paracrania chrysolepidella has tornal spot absent or indistinct. Thorax is golden fuscous. E. semipurpurella is a poorly marked species with a golden tornal spot. E. unimaculella is a poorly marked species with a large silver white tornal spot. More Info The larval mines can be separated to some extent. Paracrania chrysolepidella feeds on Carpinus and Corylus. All others on Betula. E. salopiella and E. sparrmannella mines start away from the leaf edge. There are slight differences in the larval colouring. E. cicatricella mines start at the leaf edge with more than one larvae per mine (not per leaf) with translucent white head and thorax. E. sangii mine starts at the leaf edge. The larva is grey with a brown head. E. semipurpurella mine starts at the edge of a leaf and the early instar larvae have a black head with a dark spot beyond. Later instar larvae with a brown head are difficult to separate from E. unimaculella which has a similar mine. More Info
Determination by Genitalia Examination (gen. det.) Required
Recorded in 7 (12%) of 58 10k Squares. First Recorded in 2004. Last Recorded in 2023. Additional Stats
