Gracillariidae

15.016 Yellow-dotted Stilt Euspilapteryx auroguttella Stephens, 1835

Common

Similar species:

Forewing: 4.5 to 5mm

Habitats: Downland, scrub, woodland rides and clearings, marshes and fens.

Habits: The moth occasionally comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva's first instar is in a winding gallery mine on the lower side of a leaf of Perforate St John's-wort, Slender St John's Wort, Hairy St John's-wort or Square-stemmed St John's Wort. This mine is later enlarged into a blotch which contorts the leaf. The larva then spins one or two successive, downward pointing cones from the tip of the leaf. It pupates in a cocoon in a folded leaf on the ground.