6.005 BF157

Heliozela hammoniella
Birch Cutter

Sorhagen, 1885

Wingspan c. 6mm.

Distributed in England and Wales north to Cumbria, this tiny leaf-mining species is locally common.

In July and August, the larva mines the leaves of birch (Betula), preferrng young trees, and begins its life inside a twig, then as it grows, it eventually entes a leaf, forming a gallery mine before cutting out an oval case in which to pupate.

The moths fly in May and June.