Paracrania chrysolepidella
Hazel Spring Jewel

Wingspan c. 11 mm.

The scarcest and most local of the Eriocrania species in the British Isles, occurring sparingly in parts of England and Ireland.

Like most of its close relatives, it is a spring-flying species, being at large during April in its adult form.

The larva feeds in April and May on hazel (Corylus) or hornbeam (Carpinus), creating blotches with intertwining threads of frass, typical of the genus.

However, no other British species feeds on the same foodplants, so identification of mines is straightforward.

See also: Leafmine (British Leaf Mining Fauna)