Biology. Hostplants: Salix caprea L., S. cinerea L., S. pentandra L., S. fragilis L., S. phylicifolia L., S. dasyclados Wimm. ( Ellis 2007). In Finland a population of E. intimella was discovered feeding on Populus balsamifera L. Th ese mines resemble those of E. hannoverella, but the mine usually enters the leaf blade further away from the petiole and the larva doesn’t show the characteristic plates of E. hannoverella ( Gustafsson and Nieukerken 1990). Univoltine, larvae in September to November, adults from May to July.
Distribution. Norway: Aarvik et al. 1997; Ireland: Shackleton 1977; Latvia: Šulcs and Šulcs 1989; Lithuania: Ivinskis et al. 1985; Slovakia: Laštůvka and Laštůvka 1990b; Spain: Laštůvka and Laštůvka 2008. For new French records: Van Nieukerken et al. 2006, here we record it new from southern France. Also found in far eastern Russia: Sakhalin ( Puplesis 1994). Here for the first time recorded from Japan, Hokkaido, not far from Sakhalin.
Material. France: 1 larva, Alpes Maritimes, Les Mesches, 6 km WSW Tende, 1450 m, 10.X.2008, leafmine on Salix caprea, EJvN2008224, RMNH. INS 17603, E.J. van Nieukerken & C. Doorenweerd ( RMNH). Finland: 4 larvae, leafmines, OK: Joensuu, 18.X.2005, Populus? balsamifera, A. Karhu & A. Matero ( RMNH). Italy: larvae, Cuneo, Palanfré, W., 1440–1540 m, 14.X.2008, mines on Salix caprea, EJvN2008300, RMNH. INS 12990, 17642–3, E.J. van Nieukerken & C. Doorenweerd ( RMNH). Japan: 1♀, Hokkaido, Kitami-shi, Toyochi-oohashi, 8. VI.2004, S. Kawahara ( RMNH).