Phyllonorycter blancardella (Fabricius, 1781) Species
Last modified: Dec. 14, 2024, 3:30 p.m.
A rather rare but locally common species, mainly found in Flanders.
Details
- Classification
- Family: Gracillariidae > Subfamily: Lithocolletinae > Genus: Phyllonorycter > Species: Phyllonorycter blancardella
- Vernacular names
- Appelvouwmot (NL), Brown apple midget (EN), Apfelblatt-Faltenminiermotte (DE)
- Synonyms
- Phyllonorycter concomitella (Bankes, 1899)
- First mention in Belgium
- Lambillion L.-J. 1904c. No title. — Revue mensuelle de la Société entomologique namuroise 4: 43–44. On page 43.
- Status
-
Native
Distribution
Imago
Head ochreous brown; forewing ground colour brown with white pattern, four costal and three dorsal striae.
Museum specimens
No pictures yet!Specimens in nature
Mine
Tentiform mine is on the underside of the leaf, and some folds turn brownish at the end of the life cycle. The mine is mostly situated between two secondary veins and is visible from the upper side 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.
Cocoon/pupa
De caterpillar spins a white cocoon inside the mine that contains pieces of frass. Pupa ochreous to brown.
Bionomics
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.
Flight periods
Two generations a year from mid-April till the end of May and August.
Observed on
- Host plant (species):
- Malus sylvestris and Malus domestica
- Host plant (genera):
- Malus
The species prefers wild and several cultivars of Malus sylvestris. It has also been recorded on Mespilus germanica, very occasionally on Crataegus, and possibly on Amelanchier lamarcki.
Habitat
Mainly found in old, abandoned apple orchards.
