Gracillariidae

15.059 Large Birch Leaf-miner Phyllonorycter cavella (Zeller, 1846)

Local

Similar species:

Forewing: 3.5 to 4.5mm

Habitats: Deciduous woodland, heathland and the lower slopes of mountains and glens.

Habits: The moth is possibly double brooded in the south-east of England.

Foodplant: The larva forms a large mine covering most of the underside of a birch leaf and strongly distorting it. There are usually up to a dozen creases in the lower surface. It pupates in a white cocoon in the mine.