4.005 BF110

Stigmella betulicola

(Stainton, 1856)

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Wingspan c. 5mm.

A locally common species, found mainly on heaths where scattered birch trees are growing.

The larva creates a contorted gallery mine in leaves of birch (Betula), leaving a central irregular line of frass. The mine resembles that of S. luteella, but is far less contorted at the beginning. The larva shows a line of dark ventral spots, unlike that of luteella, and tends to have a darker brown head.

There are two generations, with moths on the wing in May and August, and leafmines visible in July and again from September to November.