Alder Heliozelid
Common NameAlder Heliozelid
Scientific NameHeliozela aesella
FamilyHeliozelidae
Wingspan (mm)5
Primary Colorsdark-bronze, silver, black
HabitatWoodlands, fens, marshes, areas with alder trees
Geographic RangeEurope (widespread)
Host PlantsAlnus glutinosa, Alnus incana, Alnus viridis
Flight PeriodMay to June
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are leaf miners on alder trees, creating blotch mines. They then cut out an oval case from the mine, which falls to the ground for pupation. The galls visible on the leaf in the image are characteristic signs of the larval feeding activity.
Identification TipsLook for its tiny size (wingspan 4-6mm), dark metallic forewings with a prominent silvery band, and its strong association with alder trees, where its larvae create characteristic galls on the leaves.
Description
A very small, dark, metallic moth with a distinctive silvery-white fascia (band) across the middle of its forewings. The hindwings are dark grey.
