Narrow-winged Midget Moth
Common NameNarrow-winged Midget Moth
Scientific NamePhyllonorycter messaniella
FamilyGracillariidae
SubfamilyLithocolletinae
Wingspan (mm)7.5
Wing Patternstriped
Primary Colorsblack, white, brown, grey
HabitatWoodlands, parks, gardens, orchards, urban areas
Geographic RangeEurope, North Africa, introduced to North America, New Zealand, and Australia
Host Plantsoak, beech, chestnut, hornbeam, hazel, apple
Flight PeriodApril to October (multiple generations)
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are leaf miners, creating characteristic tentiform mines on the underside of host plant leaves. Pupation occurs within the mine, and there are multiple generations per year.
Identification TipsDistinguished by its minute size, narrow wings, and the distinctive pattern of a broad white costal stripe combined with other white, often dark-edged, transverse markings on a dark brown or blackish background.
Description
A very small moth with narrow, dark forewings featuring a prominent, broad white stripe along the costa and several irregular white bands or streaks on the dark background.
