Phyllonorycter messaniella (Zeller, 1846)
Zeller's Midget
(previously known as : Lithocolletis messaniella)
 LITHOCOLLETINAE, GRACILLARIIDAE

Don Herbison-Evans ( donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
&
Stella Crossley

(updated 18 February 2005)


Caterpillars in their leaf mines

This species is a native of Europe, and was introduced into Australia by unfortunate accident. Its host plants belong the the family FAGACEAE and include :

  • Southern Beech ( Nothofagus cunninghamii),
  • Sweet Chestnut ( Castanea vesca ),
  • Cork Oak ( Quercus suber ),
  • various other species of Beech ( Fagus sp. ), and
  • various other species of Oak ( Quercus sp. ).

    The Caterpillars mine the leaves of the host plant.

    The adult moth has forewings with a complex pattern of gold and silver, and has narrow buff hindwings with substantial fringes. The head and thorax are gold, and the abdomen is black with a golden tuft on the tail. It has a wingspan of about 1 cm.


    Illustration : S. N. A. Jacobs, from
    Illustrated Papers on British Microlepidoptera (1978)
    courtesy of British Entomological and Natural History Society

    The species has also invaded other parts of the world, including :

  • Hawaii,
  • Morocco,
  • New Zealand, and
  • United Kingdom.

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