Status and Distribution
Widespread but local over much of England, apparently very local in south-east and south-west England and Wales. Single records only from Ireland (in the south-west) and the Channel Islands (Jersey); not recorded in Scotland.
National Status:
Bradley & Fletcher no:
Provisional Map
Maps updated with all data received by January 2020.
Foodplant and Larval Feeding Signs
Quercus spp. (oak), see plant distribution map for Q. robur (sessile oak).
Causes withering and sometimes death of young leaves and occasional swelling of the shoot. Frass is ejected through two or three small exit holes.
Foodplant Map
Habitat
Oak woodland and isolated mature oaks in hedgerows and parks.
Finding the Moth
Rests on oak trunks in bark crevices during the day. At night is attracted to light.
Similar Species
The much smaller size and narrow, pointed wings distinguish it from some of the more variable Carpatolechia species, particularly when a more fuscous infused specimen of S. gemmella is encountered.
Stenolechiodes pseudogemmellus is a central and south-eastern European species that is very similar to S. gemmella but flies in April and May. The May 2013 British record of S. gemmella was critically examined to exclude this species.
Larval Occurrence
Flight Period
Single brooded, from late June to mid-September. One recent confirmed record involved a female found in a light trap on 4th May 2013, confirmed by dissection. It should be noted that a very similar species (Stenolechiodes pseudogemmellus) occurs in central Europe and flies in April and May - this species was excluded in this case.
Earliest: 26th June 2009 (VC49)
Latest: 30th September 2011 (VC58)