Bucculatrix bechsteinella

Bucculatrix bechsteinella

Alternative names
Hawthorn Tuft
Hawthorn Bent-wing
Description

Bucculatrix bechsteinella is a small moth with a wingspan of 7 to 9 mm. It is pale buff with brown markings. The leafmine produced by the larva is usually on Hawthorn, and is small and in a vein axil, with blackish frass.  The exit gallery is clear, and angular in shape. 

Similar Species

Leafmines can resemble early mines of Stigmella species, or Paraswammerdamia nebulella (ref.: British leafminers)

Identification difficulty

Adult leaf mine

Recording advice

Clear backlit photos of mine, including exit gallery

Habitat

The moth occurs in well wooded areas.

When to see it

The adults emerge in May and early June.

Life History

The larvae of this species feed in July and August, initially mining the leaves of Crataegus, Pyrus, Malus or Sorbus species, in a short, contorted gallery. As the larva develops it leaves the mine to feed externally, creating windows on the upperside of the leaves. Pupation occurs in a ribbed white cocoon spun on debris. The winter is passed in this stage.

UK Status

Found locally throughout England and southern Scotland. 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
14.012 BF275

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

No additional images available for this species.

All NatureSpot records