Gracillariidae

15.005 Birch Stilt Caloptilia betulicola (Hering 1928)

Common

Similar species: Caloptilia elongella has overlapping colour forms. Unless bred from a larva check the genitalia.

Forewing: 6.5 to 8.5mm

Habitats: Deciduous woodland and heathland.

Habits: The moth comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva mines the underside or occasionally the upperside of a birch leaf. This depends on the location of the ovipositing site. This mine becomes an elongated blotch between the veins of the leaf which arches as spinning takes place. It then forms a slight roll or fold and later another larger downward transverse roll. It feeds on the undersurface only. Pupation takes place under a pale green membrane under a leaf.