Nepticulidae

04.014 Buckthorn Dot Stigmella catharticella (Stainton, 1853)

Local

Similar species:

Forewing: 2.5 to 3mm

Habitats: Woodland margins, hedgerows, downland, scrub and marshland.

Habits:

Foodplant: The larva forms a full depth gallery mine full of green frass in a leaf of Purging Buckthorn. It begins at the ovipositing site which is on the underside of the leaf. It then takes several sharp turns with loops almost touching. The mine finally becomes significantly wider. It pupates in a cocoon in the leaf litter