Phyllonorycter strigulatella

I first recorded Phyllonorycter strigulatella from leafmines on Grey Alder (Alnus incana) collected at Shipley Station in 2004. The colony is still thriving, as evidenced by this specimen that emerged yesterday from leaves collected in October.

Grey Alder is native to mountain regions of central Europe, often in drier habitats than Common Alder. It is often planted in difficult situations, such as reclamation sites and for amenity in urban situations. In Mid-west Yorkshire, Grey Alder is sometimes found on the edge of conifer plantations and there is a fine example on the river bank, south of Bolton Abbey.