Phyllonorycter hilarella

Description

Phyllonorycter hilarella is a moth of the family Gracillariidae. It is found in all of Europe, except the Balkan Peninsula and the Mediterranean Islands. The wingspan is 7–9 millimetres (0.28–0.35 in). There are two generations per year with adults on wing in late May and June and again in August. The larvae feed on Salix aurita, Salix caprea and Salix cinerea. They mine the leaves of their host plant. They create a large, lower-surface tentiform mine, mostly between two side veins. The upperside is strongly inflated and the underside has many narrow folds. The pupa is light brown and made in a golden cocoon. The frass is deposited in a corner of the mine.