Early Purple

A birch-feeding <i>Eriocrania</i> that needs to be recorded as a tenanted leaf-mine or by dissection, and it is undoubtedly under-recorded as a result.&nbsp; Most records are from upland West Somerset, particularly the Quantocks and the Porlock area, though no doubt there are more sites to be found.&nbsp; It has also been recorded from the Shapwick/Ham Wall area and post-industrial sites in the east Mendips, with older records from Cheddar Gorge and Leigh Woods that could usefully be confirmed.&nbsp; The record from west of Crewkerne in south Somerset is erroneous.

Small Birch Purple

A birch-feeding species most readily identified from its leaf mines.&nbsp; Although doubtless under-recorded, it appears to be one of the commoner of its genus.&nbsp; Most records are from the Quantocks, the Shapwick/Westhay wetland complex, and on old mine workings and disused quarries in central and east Mendip.&nbsp; The record from east of Crewkerne in south Somerset is erroneous.

Washed Purple

Another birch-feeder that is best recorded in the larval stage as a tenanted mine.&nbsp; It is most common in the upland west of the county, on Exmoor and Quantock, on both of which there must be many more sites than have so far been found.&nbsp; Also at Langford Heathfield and Ash Priors Common, with a single record from VC6, at Rowberrow Warren in 2021.&nbsp; It may occur at further birch-rich sites on Mendip.

Eriocrania cicatricella

Small Spring Jewel