Parornix torquillella

Alternative names
Blackthorn Parornix
Blackthorn Slender
Deltaornix torquillella
Description

Wingspan 9 to 10 mm. The adults are difficult to separate from some Parornix species, especially Parornix finitimella, and genitalia examination is usually necessary to identify them.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Areas where Blackthorn is present.

When to see it

The moths fly from May to July, and are sometimes attracted to light.

Life History

The main foodplant of this species is Blackthorn in common with its close relative, Parornix finitimella. It is rather difficult to distinguish the two mines, but the larvae are quite different; the present species is green with green legs, P. finitimella grey with blackish legs.

UK Status

Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.

VC55 Status

It appears to be uncommon in Leicestershire and Rutland, where there are few records. L&R Moth Group status = D Possibly rarely recorded due to problems of identification.

Reference
15.033 BF309

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Blackthorn Slender
Species group:
Moths
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Gracillariidae
Records on NatureSpot:
10
First record:
09/06/2013 (Calow, Graham)
Last record:
20/09/2022 (Calow, Graham)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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