Phyllonorycter rajella (Linnaeus, 1758)
common alder midget

Alnus glutinosa, Nieuwendam

same mine, lighted from behind
mine
Lower-surface tentiform mine, not longer than 20 mm, usually in the axil of a thick lateral vein, with 1 strong length fold. Pupa in a tough off-white cocoon that is fastened to the floor and the roof of the mine. (Almost) all frass is incorporated in the sides of the cocoon (visible with a loupe in backlight as two dark lines). In autumn not infrequently five or more mines in one leaf.
host plants
Betulaceae, monophagous
Alnus cordata, glutinosa, incana, rubra, viridis.
phenology
Two generations per year; larvae in June and July (van Frankenhuyzen & Freriks, 1976a).
BENELUX
BE recorded (Phegea, 2009).
NE recorded (Kuchlein & de Vos, 1999a; Microlepidoptera.nl, 2009).
LUX recorded (Fauna Europaea, 2009).
distribution within Europe
Entire Europe, with exception of the Iberian Peninsula and Greece (Fauna Europaea, 2009).
larva
Pale green.
pupa
synonyms
Lithocolletis rajella; Phyllonorycter alnifoliella (Hübner, 1796); Ph. alniella (Zeller, 1946a).
references
Ahr (1966a), Bengtsson & Johansson (2011a), Buhr (1935a, 1964a), Buszko (1992b), Buszko & Beshkov (2004a), Deutschmann (2008a), van Frankenhuyzen & Freriks (1976a), van Frankenhuyzen & Houtman (1972a), van Frankenhuyzen Houtman & Kabos (1982a), Gregor & Patočka (2001a), Gregor & Povolný (1950a), Haase (1942a), Hering (1932a, 1947a, 1957a, 1962a), Huber (1969a), Jaworski (2009a), Klimesch (1950c), Kuchlein & Donner (1993a), Kuchlein & de Vos (1999a), A & Z Laštůvka (2011a), Lhomme (1934b), Maček (1999a), Matošević, Pernek, Dubravac & Barić (2009a), Michalska (1976a), Nel & Varenne (2014a), Nowakowski (1954a), Patočka & Turčáni (2005a), De Prins & Steeman (2011a), Robbins (1991a), Schütze (1931a), Skala (1951a), Sønderup (1949a), Stammer (2016a), Starý (1930a), Szőcs (1977a), Tourlan (1980a), Triberti & Braggio (2011a), van Wielink (2020a), Yefremova & Kravchenko (2015a), Zoerner (1969a, 1970a).