UKMoths Please note that the NBN Gateway map service has been terminated as of 1 April 2017.
As soon as a replacement map service is available, distribution maps will hopefully appear here again.
In the meantime, you can get some idea of distribution from the NBN Atlas website.
4.074 BF21
Etainia sericopeza
(Zeller, 1839)
Wingspan c. 6-8mm
A rather rare species, found mainly in parts of south-east England but with a few scattered records from further north.
This 'leaf-miner' actually mines the seeds, or samara, of Norway maple (Acer platanoides), forming a short gallery from the wing into the seed itself.
There is some historical documentation referring to the possibility of field maple (A. campestre) as a foodplant but this appears to be unproven and such records may refer to E. louisella before it was recognised as a species.
The adult moths, though tiny, are relatively strongly patterned for a Nepticulid. They fly in May and August, in two generations.
See also: Larval mine (British Leaf Mining Fauna)
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