Scrobipalpa atriplicella - new taxon

Alternative names
Mottled Orache Moth
Goosefoot Groundling
Description

Wingspan about 14 mm.  

Similar Species

There are several similar species in the genus and gen det is required to determine to species level.

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

Determination by genitalia examination (gen. det.) required.

Habitat

Waste ground and field margins where the larval foodplants occur.

When to see it

Usually April to October.

Life History

The larvae mine the leaves of Goosefoot and Orache, living within a spinning then over-wintering as a pupa.

UK Status

Uncommon in Britain.  In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as Nationally Scarce B.

VC55 Status

Rare in Leicestershire and Rutland (VC55).

Reference
35.117 BF818

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Goosefoot Groundling
Species group:
insect - moth
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Gelechiidae
Records on NatureSpot:
1
First record:
16/04/2026 (Calow, Graham)
Last record:
16/04/2026 (Calow, Graham)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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