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Phyllonorycter salictella

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Phyllonorycter salictella is a tiny moth in the Gracillariidae family. It is found across most of Europe (except the Balkans and some Mediterranean islands) and extends east to Russia and Japan. The wingspan is about 7–9 mm. The forewings are shining ochreous, sometimes with a dusky tint, and show a distinctive pattern: a median streak from base to near the middle, several wedge-shaped spots along the leading and trailing edges, and a blackish mark near the tip. The hindwings are grey. The larva is pale yellowish with a dark grey dorsal line and a pale brown head.

There are two generations per year, with adults on the wing in May–June and again in August.

Larvae feed by mining the leaves of willow trees (Salix species). Host plants include: Salix alba, Salix babylonica, Salix daphnoides, Salix fragilis, Salix elaeagnos (also known as Salix incana), Salix purpurea, Salix triandra, and Salix viminalis. The larvae create mines inside the leaves.


This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 16:35 (CET).