Gracillariidae

15.069 Small Birch Leaf-miner Phyllonorycter anderidae (Fletcher 1885)

Notable B

Similar species:

Forewing: 2.5 to 3mm

Habitats: Deciduous woodland and heathland.

Habits: The species prefers seedling birch on recently cleared paths or amongst Heather.

Foodplant: The larva makes a very small mine between two veins on the underside of a seedling birch leaf. The underside surface contracts causing the leaf to arch and roll into a tube. The larva pupates loose in the mine. The similar mine of Parornix betulae has a brown rather than green lower surface.