6.005 BF157 - Heliozelidae - Heliozela hammoniella - Birch Cutter

6.005 BF157 - Heliozelidae - Heliozela hammoniella - Birch Cutter - (Sorhagen, 1885)

Adult Micro: CAT 4 - Gen. Det. Required -

Leaf-miner: CAT L - The leaf or a Photo required -

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- Uncertain/Unknown - Insufficient Data - Leaf Miner

Taxonomy: Micro >> Heliozelidae

Other Name/s: Birch Lift

ID Difficulty: Red

- difficult to identify - detailed examination required, often a Gen Det and/or specimen and quality photographs are required.
Confusion Species: Heliozela sericiella, Heliozela resplendella

ID pointers: No information at this time

Distribution: (Last record: 23/02/2025 at Ringinglow ) - Uncertain as insufficient data – 13 records prior to 2010 – Leaf Mine records in good numbers from two sites in 2018 & 2022 – likely to be locally common in Birch woodland

Flight Period: May / June / - One generation May-June

Mine Period: July / August / - The larva mines the leaves of birch in July & August, preferring young trees, and begins its life inside a twig, as it grows, it eventually enters a leaf, forming a gallery mine before cutting out an oval case in which to pupate.

Moth Activity: Cathemeral - is often seen during the day

*** Last updated on 9 March 2025 by RP ***

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Wingspan: 5-7mm

Food Plant: Birch

Last Recorded Date: 23/02/2025

Last Recorded By: Andrew Watchorn

Last Recorded General Area: Ringinglow

No First Date Information Recorded

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