Phyllonorycter comparella (Duponchel, 1843) Species
Last modified: Oct. 28, 2023, 4:29 p.m.
A fairly common species in Belgium, especially in Flanders at the coastal area. In the southern part of the country it is very rare.
Details
- Classification
- Family: Gracillariidae > Subfamily: Lithocolletinae > Genus: Phyllonorycter > Species: Phyllonorycter comparella
- Vernacular names
- Abeelvouwmot (NL), Winter poplar midget (EN)
- First mention in Belgium
- De Crombrugghe G. 1909. Observations microlépidoptérologiques faites en 1908. — Annales de la Société Entomologique de Belgique 53: 44–47. On page 46. view page
- Status
-
Native
Distribution
Imago
Head whitish with mixed brown hairs, forewing ground colour white with brownish pattern, some single brown scales scattered all over the wing.
Museum specimens
No pictures yet!Specimens in nature
Genitalia
Mine
Oval tentiform mine on the underside of a leaf between two secondary veins, showing no longitudinal folds. On the underside the mine is hardly visible as is has almost the same colour as the rest of the leaf, on the upperside, however, the mine is visible as a lighter green or yellowish blotch than the rest of the leaf. The sides of the mine are lighter and a green spot remains in the center, but it grows gradually smaller when the caterpillar consumes the leaf tissue. The frass is contained in a corner of the mine.
See also gracillariidae.net and bladmineerders.be.
Cocoon/pupa
A very thin cocoon. The pupa is dark brown, almost blackish.
Bionomics
The eggs are deposited on the underside of a leaf, and there can be several mines on the same leaf. Pupation inside the mine. The adults rest during the day on tree trunks and in the foliage. They become active at dusk and come to light.
Flight periods
Two generations a year flying in May/June and August.
Observed on
- Host plant (species):
- Populus alba and Populus canescens
The larva lives exclusively on Populus alba or Populus canescens.
