Heliozelidae

06.003 Oak Cutter Heliozela sericiella (Haworth, 1828)

Local

Similar species: Heliozela resplendella and Heliozela hammoniella . To positively identify rear from larvae or check genitalia.

Forewing: 3 to 4mm

Habitats: Woodland, heathland and scrub.

Habits: The moth flies in sunshine around the lower branches of oaks.

Foodplant: The larva forms a mine in a twig of oak, from where it travels up a petiole into the leaf base and forms a small blotch. It pupates in a case cut from the blotch attached to debris in the leaf litter.