Heliozelidae

06.004 Alder Cutter Heliozela resplendella (Stainton, 1851)

Local

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

Forewing: 2.5 to 3.5mm

Habitats: Fens, marshes and river-banks.

Habits: The moth flies around Alders in sunshine.

Foodplant: The larva forms a mine in an Alder leaf, travelling along the midrib, up an adjacent rib, then back down the next rib. The mine finally ends in a small blotch. It pupates in a case cut from the blotch which is attached to debris in the leaf litter.