Bohemannia auriciliella
Diagnosis. Differs from B. quadrimaculella by smaller size, dark edged scape and brassy base of forewing. This species looks more like a Stigmella than a trifurculid species, but can be separated from Stigmella species by the long antennae, the dark edged scape, the brassy base of the forewing and the absence of costal bristles in the male. Male genitalia differ from preceding two species by rounded vinculum and absence of a dorsal process on the valva. Female genitalia by absence of signa and pectinations on bursa.
Male. Wingspan: 6 mm. Head: frontal tuft orange; collar fuscous with coppery reflections, small, comprising lamellar scales; scape shining silvery white, posterior quarter grey; antenna with c. 44 segments. Thorax fuscous, with coppery green reflections. Forewing shining brown to dark brown, basal quarter brassy; shining silvery costal and dorsal spots beyond middle, almost forming a fascia, expanded inwards along dorsal margin; terminal cilia fuscous with shining silvery grey tips, which are separated by a distinct cilia-line. Hindwing brown with greenish reflections, without hair-pencil or costal bristles. Anal tufts present (colour not noticed). Female. Wingspan: 6.8 mm. Antenna with 35 segments. Venation. R1 separate, but indistinct, basally a persistent trachea runs from R1 to main trunk R+M+Cu. The latter comprises five branches: R4, R5, M1, M2 and Cu; R2+3 absent. Male genitalia. Vinculum almost circular, not excavate anteriorly. Tegumen not forming pseuduncus, rounded. Uncus band-like, without medial process, with two lateral setose pads. Gnathos with long, narrow central element. Valva with curved inner margin, tip curved inwards, rounded, dorsal projection absent. Aedeagus with paired medial ventral carinae and lateral lobed carinae; vesica with two large curved cornuti and many smaller. Female genitalia. Terminalia slightly extended. T VIII apically concave, with row of setae; anal papillae with 20-21 setae each. Vestibulum folded, with small lateral pouch but without sclerotizations; corpus bursae flimsy, without pectinations or signa. Ductus spermathecae with about 3 very indistinct convolutions.
Host plant: probably Betula sp. The Southampton specimen has a label with the note "l. Birch", so we assume that it was accidentally reared from that tree (van Nieukerken, 1986b). Emmet (1987) suggests that it may have been reared from birch twigs, when Fassnidge was rearing Lampronia fuscatella (Tenström, 1848).
Only known from four specimens: the holotype from France, Vannes (Bretagne), the holotype of bradfordi from England, Kent, a male from the Netherlands, Hatert (van Nieukerken, 1982a) and a female from Southampton (van Nieukerken, 1986b).
Voltinism: Adults taken in June or July.
Description based on van Nieukerken and Johansson (1990)