Stigmella glutinosae

Adult wingspan is 4.4 to 5.2 mm - Similar to many other Stigmella, forewing brown/bronze with pale yellowy-white narrow fascia.  The larvae of this moth mine the leaves of Alder, producing a gallery with frass partly dispersed, but sometimes in a thin line (similar to that of Stigmella alnetella). For this reason the leafmine can only be recorded when the larva is present. The Stigmella glutinosae larva has a brown head and a pale brown rectangular plate on the ventral surface of the prothorax. It is a darker yellow than the larva of Stigmella alnetella and Stigmella alnetella larva also lacks the distinctive prothoracic spot of Stigmella glutinosae.

Adult Leafmine can only be recorded when larva is present and has been examined.

Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. In the comments box, state the key or ID method used and describe the size and identifying characters.

Larval mines may be found where Alder is present.

Larval mines may be found when Alder is in leaf between May and October. Adults are on wing in May. There are two generations per year.

In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.

Rarely recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland, possibly due to the difficulty of identification.