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.

White-spot Purple

One of a number of <i>Eriocrania</i> species mining birch leaves in spring, only identifiable in the field from tenanted mines.&nbsp; As a result it is likely to be considerably under-recorded.&nbsp; Most records are from Exmoor and the Quantocks; there are a couple from east Somerset, but unlike some of its relatives it has yet to be recorded from the plentiful birch in the area's post-industrial sites.

Mottled Purple

One of a group of birch-feeding Eriocrania species that are difficult to separate and that are most easily identified as tenanted leaf-mines.&nbsp; Frequently recorded around Porlock, 1997-2003, and is likely to still be present in the area.&nbsp; A history of occurring at Leigh Woods where it was last found by Maitland Emmet in 1963 - it may well still be present there but the former quarries where much of the birch is are currently off-limits to casual recording.&nbsp; Also from Harridge Wood (2001) and Shapwick Heath (1994, 2009) and it may well still be present at both sites.&nbsp; Other colonies of the moth are likely to be out there.

Eriocrania sparrmannella

Mottled Purple