Gracillariidae

15.026 Beech Parornix Parornix fagivora (Frey, 1861)

Local

Similar species:

Forewing: 4.5 to 5mm

Habitats: Birch woodland.

Habits:

Foodplant: The larva forms a gallery mine on the lower side of a birch leaf which is later developed into an upper surface blotch. This causes the upper side of the leaf to become discoloured brown. The larva then inhabits two or three successive downward folds at the tip of the leaf or on the leaf margin. It pupates in a white cocoon in an upward leaf fold which later ends up in the leaf litter.