Dark Hornbeam Leaf-miner Phyllonorycter esperella
Formerly given the vernacular name Dark Hornbeam Midget.
This worn Phyllonorycter didn't give much away about its ID until I dissected it. It was new for the garden and the first adult I've ever identified anywhere.
, North Elmham, 18-Jul-22 (A) (1).jpg)
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male Dark Hornbeam Leaf-miner Phyllonorycter esperella showing genitalia, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 18th July 2022
This one was a bit better. The way that the costal strigula extends slightly along the costa seems to be unusual among the similar Phyllonorycter but is shared by Nut Leaf Blister Moth Phyllonorycter coryli.
, WBEP, 18-Apr-24 (A) (1).jpg)
, WBEP, 18-Apr-24 (A) (2).jpg)
, WBEP, 18-Apr-24 (A) (3).jpg)
male Dark Hornbeam Leaf-miner Phyllonorycter esperella showing genitalia, Wendling Beck Environment Project (Norfolk, UK), 18th April 2024
The mines are in Hornbeam and they don't seem to be as hard to find as the adults.
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Dark Hornbeam Leaf-miner Phyllonorycter esperella leafmine and larva, North Elmham Chapel (Norfolk, UK), 16th September 2020
This one was found on the same group of Hornbeams but the larva differed in appearance, lacking the distinct dark dorsal plates, prompting me to seek confirmation that I had identified them both correctly. Thanks to James Emerson for pointing me to the bladmineerders.nl website which explains that this species has two distinct larval stages, an early sap-feeding stage (above) and then a plainer tissue-feeding stage (below).
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Dark Hornbeam Leaf-miner Phyllonorycter esperella leafmine and larva, North Elmham Chapel (Norfolk, UK), 16th September 2020
Another one netted near some Hornbeams in the same place as 2024's adult above. The genitalia were checked, but damaged irretrievably when I tried to clean it up for photos.
, Badger Pit Wood, 11-May-25 (A) (1).jpg)
, Badger Pit Wood, 11-May-25 (A) (2).jpg)
female Dark Hornbeam Leaf-miner Phyllonorycter esperella, Wendling Beck Environment Project (Norfolk, UK), 11th May 2025
This one was in the same place.
, Badger Pit Wood, 26-May-25 (A) (1).jpg)
, Badger Pit Wood, 26-May-25 (A) (2).jpg)
, Badger Pit Wood, 26-May-25 (A) (3).jpg)
male Dark Hornbeam Leaf-miner Phyllonorycter esperella showing genitalia, Wendling Beck Environment Project (Norfolk, UK), 26th May 2025
Dark Hornbeam Leaf-miner Phyllonorycter esperella leafmine, Wendling Beck Environment Project (Norfolk, UK), 12th September 2024
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Dark Hornbeam Leaf-miner Phyllonorycter esperella leafmine, North Elmham Chapel (Norfolk, UK), 30th September 2019.