Last modified: March 19, 2021, 10:47 a.m.
A very rare and local species in Belgium. Easily confused with Blastodacna hellerella.
Native
The wingspan is 11-13 mm.
The larva mines a twig of the tree and feeds continuously during winter. Its presence is revealed by a small heap of frass ejected from the entrance hole. The larva causes the shoots to die and when there are many, the species can be a serious pest in apple orchards.
Prior to pupation inside the twig, the full-grown larva moves to the surface of the twig, near a terminal or lateral bud, and eats out a circular emergence hole in the bark.
The species hibernates in the larval stage.
The adults are active at dusk and later come to light.
One generation a year: from the end of May till early September.
Gardens, orchads.
