Species Account

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Distribution

 
 

Summary Data

Season (Adult / Immature):

National Status: Common

Local Status: Fairly common and thinly distributed or restricted resident.

Local Record: Grade 2   See here for explanation

Flight time: June

Forewing: 2.5-4.5mm.

Foodplant: Liverworts, detritus

Regional breakdown:

 VC61VC62VC63VC64VC65
Year first recorded18831859188319841979
Year last recorded20142014201320142011
Number of records321561256
Number of individuals113261063317
Unique positions161342164
Unique locations161345164
Adult records311359256
Immature records00000

For the county, we have a total of 139 records from 94 sites. First recorded in 1859.
 

Photos

01.004 Micropterix aruncella 02
© Terry Box, 16 Jun 2019
01.004 Micropterix aruncella 01
© Charlie Streets, 23 Jun 2006

Species Account

For further information refer UK Moths.
For information on genitalia determination refer to Lepidoptera Dissection Group 2013 website for male

Sutton & Beaumont, 1989: Widespread and common in all five vice-counties.

2012 (CHF): The male of this species is easy to identify however the female does not have the silver-white fasciae and looks similar to Micropterix calthella. They can be told apart by looking at the base of the forewing. This is entirely purple in calthella but purple only on the costa in aruncella.
 

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