Last modified: Oct. 3, 2020, 12:17 p.m.
A rather rare but locally common species, mainly found in Flanders.
Native
Tentiform mine on the underside of the leaf with some folds which turn brownish at the end of the life cycle. The mine is mostly situated between two secondary veins and visible from the upperside by the lighter greenish shade and some brownish spots later on. The frass is contained in a corner of the mine.
See also gracillariidae.net and bladmineerders.be.
De caterpillar spins a white cocoon inside the mine that contains pieces of frass. Pupa ochreous to brown.
Most of the time only one mine per leaf, but occasionally many mines on one leaf. The pupae of the second generation hibernate. The adults rest during the day. They are active at dusk and come to light.
Two generations a year: from mid-April till the end of May and in August.
The species prefers wild and several cultivars of Malus sylvestris. It has also been recorded on Mespilus germanica, and very occasionally on Crataegus and possibly on Amelanchier lamarcki.
Mainly found in old, abandoned apple orchards.