Phyllonorycter ulmifoliella

Phyllonorycter ulmifoliella is a moth of the family Gracillariidae. It is found in all of Europe (except the Iberian Peninsula and the Balkan Peninsula), east to Russia and Japan.

Phyllonorycter ulmifoliella, Llandegla moor, North Wales

Mined birch leaf

Larva

Phyllonorycter ulmifoliella
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Gracillariidae
Genus:	Phyllonorycter
Species:	P. ulmifoliella
Binomial name
Phyllonorycter ulmifoliella (Hubner, 1817)[1]
Synonyms
Tinea ulmifoliella Hubner, 1817 Lithocolletis ulmifoliella

The wingspan is 7–9 mm. The head is golden-brownish, face white. Antennae with apex white. Forewings golden brownish; a shining white median streak from base to 2/5, dark margined above; an ill defined white dorsal spot at 1/3; a somewhat angulated median fascia, three posterior costal and two dorsal triangular spots shining white, anteriorly dark margined; a black apical dot. Hindwings are rather dark grey. The larva is yellow-green; dorsal line greenish-grey; head pale brown.^[2][3] It is very similar to Phyllonorycter anderidae.

There are two generations per year with adults on wing in May and again in August.^[4]

The larvae feed on Betula x alpestris, Betula grossa, Betula pendula and Betula pubescens. They mine the leaves of their host plant.^[5]