15.04 BF321 - Gracillariidae - Lithocolletinae - Phyllonorycter messaniella

15.04 BF321 - Gracillariidae - Lithocolletinae - Phyllonorycter messaniella - Ilex Leaf-miner - (Zeller, 1846)

Adult Micro: CAT 2 - Confusion Species - Leaf-miner: CAT L - The leaf or a Photo required -

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- Generally Common / Widespread - Leaf Miner

Taxonomy: Micro >> Gracillariidae

Other Name/s: Garden Midget

ID Difficulty: amber

- care required in the identification process, as confusion with similar species is likely - quality photographs required.
Confusion Species: Phyllonorycter quercifoliella

ID pointers: Forewing shining pale golden brown with four dorsal and four costal whitish streaks. Inwardly edged dark brown. A fine whitish basal streak that barely meets the middle of the forewing is a good ID feature

Distribution: Appears to be generally common as numerous records of the leaf-mines. Fairly common across the British Isles. Probably locally common in Oak, Beech or Sweet Chestnut Woodland.

Flight Period: January / February / March / April / May / June / July / August / September / October / November / December / - On the wing all months of the year, more so in the south of England.

Mine Period: March / April / July / August / September / October / - Can be found throughout the winter on Oak, Beech, Sweet Chestnut. Accepted if on Holm Oak otherwise needs to be reared.

*** Last updated on 24 February 2025 by TD ***

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Wingspan: 7-9mm

Food Plant: Oak,Beech,Sweet Chestnut

Recorded dates for Common [Blue-coded ] moths are not stored on the website at this current time.