Gracillariidae

15.019 Oak Cloud Acrocercops brongniardella (Fabricius, 1798)

Local

Similar species:

Forewing: 4 to 4.5mm

Habitats: Deciduous woodland, parks, coastal slopes and gardens.

Habits: The moth occasionally comes to light.

Foodplant: The small larva mines a winding gallery on the upper surface of a leaf of Pedunculate Oak, Sessile Oak, Holm Oak and occasionally Sweet Chestnut. There may be several mines to a leaf which converge to develop into a blotch. The gregareous larvae feed on the upper surface of the leaf. They spin the upper cuticle causing a large, silvery, blister mine. The full-fed larva on Holm Oak sometimes overwinters and pupates in the spring. It pupates in a cocoon spun in the leaf litter.