35.007 Aproaerema albipalpella (Herrich-Schäffer, 1854)
Aproaerema vinella <<Aproaerema albipalpella>> Aproaerema suecicella
Status and Distribution
Formerly known or suspected from several sites across England mainly in the south and east, also Yorkshire and Durham. All but one of these are thought to have been lost by the mid-1970s due to habitat change/destruction which resulted in the loss of the foodplant. It may have become extinct (Parsons, 2020), and recent searches have failed to locate the species at its single remaining site in the British Isles.
Searches for larva have taken place at former sites as follows:
Ditchling Common (VC14) - last recorded in 1969. A search on 26th May 1990 (R J Heckford & J R Langmaid) produced a few plants of Genista anglica but no larva.
Hook Common (VC12) - last recorded in 1965. A search on 14th June 1991 (R J Heckford) produced six plants of Genista anglica but no larva.
Silchester Common (VC12) - last recorded in 1973. A search on 26th May 1991 (B R Baker, R J Heckford*, J R Langmaid and others) produced a few plants of Genista anglica at two places but no larva. * Also searched on 14th June 1991.
Hertfordshire (VC20) - site last checked in 2023 with no sign of the moth or its larva.
Documented reports from Pakefield, East Suffolk, Formby, Lancashire and Bilton in Warwickshire are unconfirmed.
National Status: pRDB 1
Bradley & Fletcher no: 848
Photographer: Photo wanted
Provisional map
NHMSYS0000504428
Pupa
Set Specimens
Photographs of male and female specimens are available on the Natural History Museum, Cockayne collection website (click on 'male', 'female' or 'both sexes' to bring up the specimen pictures).
Foodplant and Larval Feeding Signs
Genista anglica (petty whin), see plant distribution map. In Europe also reported on Genista tinctoria (dyer's greenweed).
Feeds between spun leaves, which it usually mines, between September and mid-June leaving them a distinctive primrose-yellow colour.
Habitat
Occurs on relatively humid grass heaths.
Finding the Moth
Larva: makes distinctive pale yellow feeding signs on the leaves.
Adult: flight activity unknown.
Searches of known sites for the declining and very local larval foodplant, Petty Whin, across England and Wales would be worthwhile in late spring to look for the distinctive larval feeding signs. For more details see Parsons, M., 2015 in the Publications / Printed Papers section of this site - http://www.gelechiid.co.uk/node/336
Similar Species
Similar to weakly marked or worn Aproaerema anthyllidella and possibly other worn Aproaerema species. Dissection may be necessary if not bred (see note below).
In view of the recent likely extinction of this species in Britain, it is strongly advised that no adults or larvae should be collected. If this species is suspected, advice should be sought immediately from Butterfly Conservation Headquarters in Dorset.
January, February, March, April, May, June, September, October, November, December
July
Single brooded in July.