Scrubland Pigmy
Common NameScrubland Pigmy
Scientific NameStigmella aurella
FamilyNepticulidae
SubfamilyNepticulinae
Wingspan (mm)4
Primary Colorsdark brown, metallic bronze, silver
HabitatScrubland, woodlands, hedgerows, gardens
Geographic RangeEurope, parts of Asia
Host PlantsRubus species, bramble, raspberry
Flight PeriodMay to August
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are leaf miners, creating distinctive mines on host plant leaves. Pupation occurs in a cocoon outside the mine, often in leaf litter.
Identification TipsKey identification features include the serpentine-blotch leaf mine on *Rubus* species, with frass concentrated in the blotch.
Description
A pale greenish-yellow larva is visible within a leaf mine on a green leaf. The mine starts as a narrow serpentine trail and widens into an irregular blotch, filled with dark frass.
