Stigmella lapponica

Wingspan 5 to 7 mm. The adults are coarsely-scaled and dull greyish-brown with an indistinct creamy fascia. The larva mine the leaves of Birch. The mine is long, filled with green frass to ¼, and then linear. The larva is a greenish white, head brown.

Adult Mine

Adult: 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.

Leafmine: Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required. If the photo doesn't show the key ID features then in the comments box describe the size and identifying characters you have observed.

Associated with Birch.

Adults of this single-generation species are on the wing in May.  Tenanted mines may be encountered from mid-June to early July.

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

Infrequently recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.