Heliozela sericiella

Heliozela sericiella is a moth of the Heliozelidae family found in Europe. The larvae mine the twigs of oaks, causing a gall.[1]

Heliozela sericiella
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Heliozelidae
Genus: Heliozela
Species:
H. sericiella
Binomial name
Heliozela sericiella
(Haworth, 1828)
Synonyms
  • Tinea sericiella Haworth, 1828
  • Aechmia saltatricella Fischer von Röslerstamm, 1841
  • Aechmia stanneella Fischer von Röslerstamm, 1841

Description

The wingspan is 6–8 mm.[1][2] Head dark bronzy. Forewings bronzy-grey ; a small indistinct whitish spot on dorsum towards base, and a larger distinct one beyond middle. Hind wings grey.[3] Adults are on wing in May and June in one generation per year.

The larvae feed on Quercus petraea, Quercus pubescens, Quercus robur and Quercus suber. Young larvae bore in the petiole, bark or a twig of their host plant. This causes the petiole to swell gall-like. When almost fully grown, it moves through the midrib into the blade, creating a small blotch. Finally, an oval excision is made, which the larvae uses to vacate the mine and drop to the ground. Here, pupation takes place. The pupa overwinters.[4] Larvae can be found from June to July.

Distribution

It is found in most of Europe, except Spain, Slovenia and most of the Balkan Peninsula.[5]

References
  1. Kimber, Ian. "Heliozela sericiella (Haworth, 1828)". UKmoths. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  2. Lepidoptera of Belgium
  3. Meyrick, E., 1895 A Handbook of British Lepidoptera MacMillan, London pdf Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. Keys and description
  4. Ellis, W N. "Heliozela sericiella (Haworth, 1828) oak satin lift". Plant Parasites of Europe. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  5. "Heliozela sericiella (Haworth, 1828)". Fauna Europaea. Retrieved 26 October 2022.


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