Heliozela sericiella
This record describes Heliozela sericiella (species). Recorded family: Heliozelidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 6 to 8 mm. A rather plain brown species with just a few lighter markings. The larva mines Oak, first causing a gall in the leaf petiole, it then mines the leaf, finally making a small oval cut-out close to the leaf base. This is the only leaf mine of this type on oak - but damage by other insects can cause similar hole in oak leaves. Check for the gall in petiole and connection to excision. Where the larval foodplant, oak is present. The adult moths emerge in May, and may be found in numbers around the foodplant during the day. The larva of this species feeds on oak, initially mining the twig, later entering the base of the leaf through the midrib. When almost fully fed, the larva cuts out a small area from the leaf base to create an oval case, in which to descend to the ground and pupate. Found locally throughout much of Britain. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local. http://www.leafmines.co.uk/html/Lepidoptera/H.sericiella.htm https://bladmineerders.nl/parasites/animalia/arthropoda/insecta/lepidoptera/monotrysia/adeloidea/heliozelidae/heliozela/heliozela-sericiella/
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Heliozelidae
- Genus
- Heliozela
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Where the larval foodplant, oak is present.
Seasonal Activity
The adult moths emerge in May, and may be found in numbers around the foodplant during the day.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larva of this species feeds on oak, initially mining the twig, later entering the base of the leaf through the midrib. When almost fully fed, the larva cuts out a small area from the leaf base to create an oval case, in which to descend to the ground and pupate.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Found locally throughout much of Britain. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Heliozela sericiella. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Heliozela sericiella (9)
Frequently Asked Questions About Heliozela sericiella
What is Heliozela sericiella?
Heliozela sericiella is a species in the family Heliozelidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Heliozela sericiella found?
Habitat: Where the larval foodplant, oak is present.
When is Heliozela sericiella active?
Heliozela sericiella: seasonal activity - The adult moths emerge in May, and may be found in numbers around the foodplant during the day..
What is the life cycle of a Heliozela sericiella?
The larva of this species feeds on oak, initially mining the twig, later entering the base of the leaf through the midrib. When almost fully fed, the larva cuts out a small area from the leaf base to create an oval case, in which to descend to the ground and pupate.