Stigmella myrtillella

Adult Stigmella are very difficult to identify and this species is best recorded as a leafmine on Bilberry (see under Life History).

Adult Leafmine

Adult: It may not be possible to identify adult Stigmella even by dissection unless reared from the leafmine.

Leafmine: May be identifiable with care please provide good photographs including a backlit image. Please also state the host species (i.e. usually Bilberry). 

Areas where Bilberry occurs.

The leafmines may be found in July and during September and October persisting until the leaves fall.

Larva mines the leaves of Bilberry creating a contorted gallery leading to small blotch. The larva is amber yellow, head brown.

Local in Britain where its distribution is limited by the availability of its foodplant. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.

Rarely recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.