Heliozelidae

06.005 Birch Cutter Heliozela hammoniella Sorhagen, 1885

Local

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

Forewing: 2.5 to 3.5mm

Habitats: Heathland, scrub, fens and marshes.

Habits: The moth flies in afternoon sunshine.

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