Gracillariidae

15.054 Willow Leaf-miner Phyllonorycter viminiella (Sircom, 1848)

Common

Similar species:

Forewing: 3.5 to 4mm

Habitats: Deciduous woodland, marshes, fens and river-banks.

Habits:

Foodplant: The larva usually forms a mine at the base of the underside of a leaf of Osier, Crack Willow, White Willow, Bay Willow, Weeping Willow, Purple Osier, Grey Willow, Goat Willow or occasionally Aspen or White Poplar. The mine causes longitudinal creases on the underside and the base of the leaf to roll over at the edge on the longer leaved species. It pupates in a strong pale brown cocoon in the mine with irregularly linear frass before and after it.