Morley’s Final Catalogue: Very local among Scot-firs. Common on pine in the Bishop's Ipswich garden since 1929 (Whit.); once at Monks Soham light only, on 19 August 1932 (Mly); Flixton Park (Ctw). Brandon.

Recent Status: The first confirmed Suffolk record was a male, dissected, Elveden 7.vii.2010 (H. Beaumont). More records have been found now moths are dissected to confirm records.

Batrachedra pinicolella has now been split (2022) into Batrachedra pinicolella and Batrachedra confusella.

Dissection will now be required to confirm or re-confirm all records.

confusella is thought to be the more common and widespread of the two species, with pinicolella probably much more localized to areas where Norway Spruce Picea abies is found.


Life Style: A single brooded summer flying species that comes to light. The larvae live in a silken tube covered with light brown frass. From there they mine the needles of coniferous species. Pupation is in a cocoon elsewhere on the tree.

Identification: A small narrow winged species that rests with the wings held around the body and stands slightly erect on its front legs. The colour is a glossy greyish ochre with a black spot near the wing tip. Batrachedra pinicolella frequently also has a black spot on the fold at one third. When this is absent the specimen is likely to be the similar B. confusella. Genitalia dissection is required to confirm the species More Info

Verification Grade Comment: Dissection required

	Determination by Genitalia Examination (gen. det.) Required

Recorded in 4 (7%) of 58 10k Squares. First Recorded in 2010. Last Recorded in 2023. Additional Stats

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