4.099 BF34

Ectoedemia occultella

(Linnaeus, 1767)

[Synonyms: argentipedella mediofasciella]

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Wingspan 5-7 mm.

Distributed commonly throughout mainland Britain, it is however local in Ireland.

The larvae mine the leaves of birch (Betula), creating a distinctive mine which begins as a dark circular blotch, and is then extended into a larger pale blotch with a darker central circle. Sometimes several mines are found in one leaf.

The adults are quite large for a Nepticulid, and have blackish forewings with a hint of violet, and contrasting whitish fascia and eye-caps. The males have black heads, those of the female orange or yellow.

There is a single generation, with adults at large from late May to July, and mines in evidence between August and October.