Phegea53-3. <i>Phyllonorycter ulicicolella</i> (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), new to Belgium and northern France

<i>Phyllonorycter ulicicolella</i> (Stainton, 1851) (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) is mentioned here for the first time from Belgium and Northern France. On December 15, 2023, multiple leaf mines on <i>Ulex europaeus </i>L<i>.</i> (Fabaceae) containing caterpillars were photographed and collected at De Schuddebeurze, West-Flanders, leg. R. Allaert, A. Beidts, W. Declerq. Following the initial discovery, further fieldwork uncovered the species at multiple locations along the Belgian coast. Additional sites were also discovered in the historic Bruges sandy region, notably around Beernem. The species was also observed in the province of East Flanders near Aalter. This report provides information on recent search efforts, alongside details of the species' distribution in neighbouring countries, and aspects of its biology.