Last modified: Jan. 9, 2023, 4:31 p.m.
First observation in Belgium of this very rare species was in 1990 in LG.
Native
The fore wings are ochreous grey, the tips at the underside of the forewings have a part that is yellow grey and very much contrasting with the rest.
The antennae are ringed alternating black and white till the tip.
The wingspan is 12–14 mm.
The eggs of vacciniella are black.
The caterpillar is reddish brown with a lighter brown till dark brown head.
The case is brown with a length between 8–15 mm and has a mouth angle of 40 to 55°,.
See also bladmineerders.be.
The eggs are placed at the leave underside. Young larvae are found from July till they are fully grown in autumn. Cases are rather easy to find, looking after the holes in the leaves.
They hibernate in the case and pupate shortly after the winter.
They are on the wing from late April till the middle of June.
The caterpillars feed on Ericaceae: Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Vaccinium myrtillus and Vaccinium uliginosum. Sometimes also on Andromeda polifolia, but this plant is very rare and local in Belgium.