Phyllocnistis unipunctella explained

Phyllocnistis unipunctella is a moth of the family Gracillariidae. It is known from all of Europe.

The wingspan is 7–8 mm. A whitish moth with yellowish suffusion and a distinct black spot near the wing apex. The forewings are shining white, posteriorly more or less ochreous-tinged; often a suffused spot on dorsum near base and a larger one in middle of disc dark fuscous; a transverse dark fuscous line at 2/3, preceded by one and followed by two dark fuscous streaks from costa; a round black apical dot; three dark fuscous diverging bars in apical cilia. Hindwings are light grey. The larva is pale green.[1] Adults are on wing in July and from September onwards, sometimes overwintering in haystacks.[2]

The larvae feed on Populus balsmifera, Populus x canadensis, Populus candicans, Populus deltoides, Populus euphratica, Populus gileadensis, Populus nigra, Populus simonii, Populus suaveolens and Populus trichocarpa. They mine the leaves of their host plant.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Meyrick, E., 1895 A Handbook of British Lepidoptera MacMillan, London pdf Keys and description
  2. https://ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?bf=368 UKmoths
  3. http://www.bladmineerders.nl/minersf/lepidopteramin/phyllocnistis/unipunctella/unipunctella.htm bladmineerders.nl