Acrolepiopsis betulella (Curt.) Unconfirmed. Life history unknown.
VC 18. 49 Theydon Bois, "I heard also that Acrolepia betulella was taken from the birches
somewhere about this time [June, 1884]" (Wright, 1885). This report, taken from hearsay,
must be relegated to the lowest category of credibility. According to Meyrick (1928), all records
other than those from York and Durham lack confirmation.
A. marcidella (Curt.) NRR., before 1850. Life history unknown.
VC 18. 49 There are two specimens in the Curtis collection which is now in the museum at
Melbourne. Australia; one of these is documented as follows' "Naivault Forest, I believe,
Robert son". The curator states that the handwriting is difficult to read and suggests that
Hainault Forest is intended. His opinion is supported by the fact that Curtis, having apparently
forgotten the name of the captor, attributes it tentatively to George Robertson who operated in
south-west Essex. (cf. Dafa formosella). This species, which was known only from southern
England, has not been taken for many years. I am indebted to Mr S.C.S. Brown for this
information.
Acrolepia pygmeana (Haw.) Res., 1849-1979. Solanum dulcamara. Wdspd and f.c. 48 *Wanstead
(Stainton. 1850b).
EPERMENIIDAE
Small moths, many of which have 'scale-teeth' projecting from the dorsum of
the forewing. The larvae of all the species reported in Essex feed on the leaves
or seeds of Umbelliferae, first as miners and later beneath a silken web. Five of
the eight British species are recorded in Essex: one other could well be found.
All are under-recorded.
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