B&F: 0068

ABH: 4.035

Status:  Resident

Distribution/Abundance:  Local

Primary Habitat:  Woodland

Wingspan:  4-5mm

Flight Period:  Bivoltine: April - May, July

Observations: It is now believed that there are four different species under the Stigmella salicis complex, described as follows.
Stigmella salicis has been studied by DNA barcoding, Entomologisk Tidskrift 132 (4): 235-255 (2012); Nieukerken_SEL2019_Salix_Stigmella.pdf and has been found to fall into several clusters, four of which, including S. salicis sensu stricto (Cluster 1), occur in the British Isles as follows:
Cluster 1: Egg underside; mine often but not always contorted; usually on 'short-leaved' sallows (but very occasionally on S. fragilis); larval head mid/dark brown, broad dispersed frass.
Cluster 2: Egg underside (often near midrib or a main vein); mine tends to be obviously linear, especially at the start; so far only on S. caprea, often later in the season than other clusters; larval head very pale brown.
Cluster 3: Egg upperside; mine mostly linear, especially early in mine, but occasionally a bit distorted; on most Salix species; larval head very dark brown.
Cluster 6: Egg upperside, mostly near the midrib; mine contorted and occupying very small space; on most sallows (not willows); larval head dark brown.

In order to accurately record each cluster, please ensure descriptions as above are included in the comments for any submitted record. For the time being (2025), most records in VC32 are likely to be from Cluster 1. It is also assumed that each cluster will be issued with a unique ID number (ABH) in due course.

Confusion Species: 

L.O.N.:  N/A

First Record:  1989, Langmaid