Heliozela sericiella

Wingspan 6 to 8 mm. A rather plain brown species with just a few lighter markings.  The larva causes a gall in the petiole, and then mines the leaf, finally making a small oval cut-out close to the leaf base.

Adult Leafmine

Adults very difficult to determine. Leafmine occurs on Oak http://www.leafmines.co.uk/html/Lepidoptera/H.sericiella.htm

Where the larval foodplant, oak is present.

The adult moths emerge in May, and may be found in numbers around the foodplant during the day.

The larva of this species feeds on oak, initially mining the twig, later entering the base of the leaf through the midrib. When almost fully fed, the larva cuts out a small area from the leaf base to create an oval case, in which to descend to the ground and pupate.

Found locally throughout much of Britain. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.

It appears to be uncommon in Leicestershire and Rutland, where there are few records. L&R Moth Group status = D (rare or rarely recorded).