Submitted by AJ Cann on Fri, 29/10/2021 - 08:23
Virgin Pigmy

We need your help recording this species. More...

The micromoth Ectoedemia argyropeza (Virgin Pigmy) lays its eggs on Aspen (Populus tremula). The adult moth is small and difficult to find, and they are all females - this species is parthenogenetic.  The eggs are laid on the leaf petiole and the leaf mining activity of the larva forms a triangular blotch extending from the midrib. When the leaves change colour in autumn, the mined area often remains a 'green island' even after the leaves have fallen, so this is the time to go and look for them. This species is not well recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland so we need more records. Please find all the Aspen trees you can and send us your records, with photos, before winter weather blackens the leaves.