The wingspan is 6–7 millimetres (0.24–0.28 in). The head is ferruginous to orange. Antennal eyecaps ochreous-whitish. Forewings shining copper gold ; a shining pale golden fascia beyond middle, preceded by a purplish or dark purple-fuscous fascia, apical area beyond this dark purple to fuscous. Hindwings rather dark grey.[2] Adults are on wing in May and later in the summer.[3][4][5]
The genusStigmella was erected by the German priest, botanist and entomologist, Franz von Paula Schrank in 1802. Stigma refers to the small spot or a brand, possibly from the small size of the moths, or more likely from the conspicuous (sometimes metallic) fascia on the forewing of many of the species in the genus. The word stigma in English can sometimes signify a mark of disgrace, although not in this case, as Schrank called the moths Edelmotte, i.e. noble moths. Initially, Stigmella had family rather than generic status. The specific name aurella, comes from aurum referring to gold; from the golden, metallic fascia on the forewing.[9]
^Meyrick, E., 1895 A Handbook of British Lepidoptera MacMillan, London pdf This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. Keys and description
^ Zagulajev, A.K., 1987 Nepticulidae (Stigmellidae); in G.S. Medvedev (ed.): Keys to the insects of the europaean part of the USSR, Vol.IV: Lepidoptera, part 1 (english translation), Oxonian Press Pvt.Ltd., New Dehli, 1987
^ abEmmet, A M, ed. (1988). A Field Guide To The Smaller British Lepidoptera (Second ed.). London: British Entomological & Natural History Society. p. 21. ISBN0 9502891-6-7.
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