Exaeretia ciniflonella (Leinig & Zeller, 1846) (Lepidoptera: Oecophoridae) in the British Isles

Within the space of one hour between 16.00-17.00 h on 13 September 2000, we saw 12 fresh specimens of both sexes of E. ciniflonella at Crathie, South Aberdeenshire, an ancient birch [Betula] and juniper [Juniperus] wood; in fact, it was the commonest moth. We do not know whether the condition of the specimens indicated a recent emergence. As far as our researches go, it appears that the number we saw is more than the total number of specimens that have apparently been recorded, or taken, in the whole of the British Isles during the last 66 years. For that reason, we thought it appropriate to review the history of the published British records and museum where the specimens were known, and to comment on the locality and larval period, in the hope that this will encourage further searches in other places, as we cannot find any reference in the British literature to the type of habitat required or that the larva has ever been found in the wild in the British Isles.