Maple Slender Moth Caloptilia semifascia

The Caloptilia genus of small moths, often called the "Slenders", have a peculiar way of standing with front raised on first and second pairs of legs - the third pair trailing behind under the body. They have antennae as long as the body. The one shown is thought to be the Maple Slender, wingspan 10-12mm; UK flight time Jul-Oct and then again in Apr-May after hibernation. It is found mainly in southern England/Wales where its larval food plant, the Field Maple, is present. The young larvae are leaf miners and the older larvae are leaf rollers.

The Maple Slender is a variable moth with lighter and darker forms, both with an angled light/dark streak. Several other "Slenders" can look similar and are also variable. Suspects include: the Clouded Slender, C. populetorum, which also uses Field Maple (despite its scientific name); Scarce Alder Slender, C. falconipennella, summer form since its winter form looks quite different; and the Sycamore Slender, C. hemidactylella, rare in the UK. Two others, Pale Red Slender, C. elongella, and Red Birch Slender, C. betulicola, can have a similar pattern but are redder brown.