Phyllonorycter cavella (Zeller, 1846) Species
Last modified: Jan. 9, 2026, 8:34 p.m.
A local and very rare species in Belgium.
Details
- Classification
- Family: Gracillariidae > Subfamily: Lithocolletinae > Genus: Phyllonorycter > Species: Phyllonorycter cavella
- Vernacular names
- Grote berkenvouwmot (NL), Gold birch midget (EN), Große Birken-Faltenminiermotte (DE)
- First mention in Belgium
- De Crombrugghe G. 1910. Observations entomologiques faites au cours de l’année 1910. — Revue mensuelle de la Société entomologique namuroise 10: 93–95. On page 94 (as Lithocolletis cavella Z.). view page
- Status
-
Native
Distribution
Imago
Head greyish brown. Forewing ground colour brown with four white costal and three white dorsal striae. The first costal and dorsal striae sometimes merge in the middle to form a transversal band.
Museum specimens
No pictures yet!Specimens in nature
Caterpillar
Entirely yellow to brownish yellow with a brown head capsule.
Mine
A large tentiform mine on the underside of a leaf. The leaf is very much contorted. About 8 longitudinal folds.
See also gracillariidae.net and bladmineerders.be.
Cocoon/pupa
White cocoon.
Bionomics
The eggs are deposited singly. The full-grown larva spins a white cocoon in the mine and pupates within that cocoon. The species hibernates in the pupal stage. Adults rest during day-time on a tree trunk or in the foliage and become active at dusk. They come to light.
Flight periods
One generation a year from the end of May till July.
Observed on
- Host plant (species):
- Betula pubescens and Betula pendula
- Host plant (genera):
- Betula
The caterpillar lives on Betula pendula and B. pubescens.
