Morley’s Final Catalogue: Not rare on oaks in Bentley Woods in May and early June; Shrubland, Ipswich, Leiston ; frequent at light beside Fritton Lake in early August (Mly). Near Thetford.

Recent Status: Regularly recorded in Suffolk.

Life Style: A double brooded species that comes to light and may be found from April to August. The larvae feed on Quercus leaves. They pupate under a membrane on the underside of a leaf.

Identification: Caloptilia species stand erect on their front legs at rest. This species is very similar to C. robustella. They are a shade of orange brown with purple reflections and bright yellow markings. There is a yellow blotch on the thorax and wing base. In C. alchimiella this is sharply defined. In C. robustella this is diffuse. Its extent is greater in C.robustella. The costal yellow blotch that may reach the dorsum is more clearly defined in C. robustella but can extend diffusely along the costa in both species. A clearly defined posterior edge to the costal blotch with a diffuse basal blotch will identify C. robustella. A costal blotch extending along the costa will not alone identify C. alchimiella. More Info Where identification is uncertain genitalia dissection is necessary for identification. More Info
The larval habits of these two species are the same. A mine on the underside of a leaf develops into a blotch followed by two or three down-folded lobe tips.

	Retained Specimen / Photograph will be Required.

	Mine: Moth needs to be reared and, in some cases, possibly dissected.

Recorded in 28 (48%) of 58 10k Squares. First Recorded in 1981. Last Recorded in 2024. Additional Stats

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