Eriocrania sangii (Wood, 1891)

large birch purple

on Betula

Betula pendula, Belgium, prov. Antwerp, Balen, Scheps, 25.iv.2014 © Carina Van Steenwinkel

Betula spec, Belgium, prov. Antwerp, Balen, Griesbroek, 26.iv.215 © Carina Van Steenwinkel: the oviposition in then still very young leaf often results in a large gap in the lamina

Betula pendula, Belgium, prov. Limbourg, Dilsen-Stokkem, Negenoord-Kerkeweerd, 23.iv.2017 © Carina Van Steenwinkel: sometimes two larvae in a mine

Betula, Haren, Hortus de Wolf, 8.v.2010 © Kees Boele: mine with mature larva

Betula, Soest © Hetty Soetekouw: the lead coloured larva

mine

Large, white, primary, full depth blotch, following upon a very short gallery. The mine begins close to the leaf margin, expanding deeper into the leaf. Frass in striking, long threads. Pupation in the soil. Vacated mines shrivel and wither away; later in summer not even a trace remains.

Only the larva enables a certain identification.

host plants

Betulaceae, monophagous

Betula pendula, pubescens.

phenology

Mines in late-March till May (Heath, 1983a).

BENELUX

BE not recorded (Fauna Europaea, 2009).

NE recorded (Kuchlein & de Vos, 1999a; Microlepidoptera.nl, 2009).

LUX not recorded (Fauna Europaea, 2009).

distribution within Europe

From Fennoscandia and northern Russia tot the Pyrenees and Alps, and from Ireland to Romania (Fauna Europaea, 2009).

larva

references

Baran (2013a), Bengtsson (2008a), Heath (1983a), Hellers (2016a), Hering (1957a), Kuchlein & Donner (1993a), Kuchlein & de Vos (1999a), Kurz (2016a), De Prins & Steeman (2011a), De Prins, Steeman & Sierens (2016a), Robbins (1991a), Sønderup (1949a), Tokár, Richter, Richter, ao (2010a).