Cedestis subfasciella

Cedestis subfasciella

Alternative names
Barred Needle-miner
Brown Pine Ermine
Brown Pine Ermel
Description

Wingspan 9 to 11 mm with a distinctive patterning of brown and white.  The larva mines pine needles, starting from an oval egg at the tip; larva is green at end of summer

Similar Species

Several other moth species mine pine needles

Identification difficulty

Adult leaf mine

Recording advice

Photographs of mine in leaf tip, showing egg, and photo of larva; note host species. 

Habitat

A species associated with coniferous woodland, in particular Pine (Pinus).

When to see it

The adult moths have quite a long emergence period, from March until July, when they can be attracted to light.

Life History

The larva feeds internally on the needles of Pine.

UK Status

Fairly well distributed throughout Britain, though less common in the north and west. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.

VC55 Status

It appears to be uncommon in Leicestershire and Rutland, where there are few records. L&R Moth Group status = D (rare or rarely recorded).

Reference
16.022 BF443

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Additional images

All NatureSpot records