Large Willow Leaf-miner Phyllonorycter hilarella

Quite a scarce species in Norfolk although as most records are recent (all this millenium) perhaps it is on the increase. Formerly given the vernacular name Sallow Midget.

The identification of this one wasn't immediately obvious to me. The complete C1D1 (first fasciae from the costal and dorsal edges, joined as a single fascia) wasn't angled and not many species have this in combination with a moderately long basal streak. Phyllonorycter ulmifoliella and Phyllonorycter salicicolella are perhaps closest but both have a much finer basal streak normally. Phyllonorycter viminetorum is listed as a similar species, but C1D1 is normally angled. So hilarella seemed a strong contender, but as I potted it off a Rhododendron beneath an Alder in a Birch wood with scattered Oak and Sweet Chestnut but not, as far as I was aware, Sallow, there was good reason to doubt whether it really was my first hilarella. Upon dissection the shape of the signa fitted hilarella and ruled out I think all the other contenders I'd thought of. The sclerotised edge of the 8th segment isn't shown particularly well in my images but matched that shown in other images of hilarella genitalia, including in having striations running down from the top edge.

female Large Willow Leaf-miner Phyllonorycter hilarella showing genitalia, Ling Plantation, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 4th June 2022