Parornix betulae is a moth of the family Gracillariidae. It is known from all of Europe (except the Iberian Peninsula, the Balkan Peninsula and the Mediterranean islands), east to Korea. It was recently reported from Canada, with records from Québec, Ontario and British Columbia.Shared but overlooked: 30 species of Holarctic Microlepidoptera revealed by DNA barcodes and morphology
The wingspan is 9–10 mm. The head is fuscous, more or less mixed with white. Palpi white, sometimes with dark fuscous subapical ring. Forewings are grey, irrorated with dark fuscous and white; numerous costal strigulae, a spot in middle of disc and another posteriorly, and two dorsal spots white; a blackish apical spot; cilia with two dark fuscous lines, tips round apex white, beneath apex with a third dark fuscous line. Hindwings are grey. The larva is whitish green; dorsal line dark green; head brownish; segment 2 with four black spots.Meyrick, E., 1895 A Handbook of British Lepidoptera MacMillan, London pdf Keys and descriptionKuznetsov V.I., 1990 Gracillariidae; in G.S. Medvedev (ed.): Keys to the insects of the europaean part of the USSR, Vol.IV: Lepidoptera, part 2 (english translation), Oxonian Press Pvt.Ltd., New Dehli, 1987 Heath, J. & Emmet, A. M. (Hrsg.) (1985): The Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland. Volume 2: Cossidae – Heliodinidae. Harley Books, Colchester, Essex.
Adults are on wing in May and August.UKmoths
The larvae feed on Betula alleghaniensis, Betula grossa, Betula humilis, Betula obscura, Betula papyrifera, Betula pendula, Betula pubescens, Betula nana and Betula utilis. They mine the leaves of their host plant.
References
External links Lepiforum de