Classification

Family: Bucculatricidae > Genus: Bucculatrix > Species: Bucculatrix ainsliella

Vernacular names

Amerikaanse ooglapmot (NL), Oak Skeletonizer (EN), Roteichen-Zwergwickler (DE)

First mention in Belgium

van Nieukerken E. J., Doorenweerd C., Ellis W. N., Huisman K. J., Koster J. C., Mey W., Muus T.S. T. & Schreurs A. 2012. Bucculatrix ainsliella Murtfeldt, a new North American invader already widespread on northern red oaks (Quercus rubra) in Western Europe (Bucculatricidae). — Nota lepidopterologica 35(2): 135–159. On page 142.

Status

Invasive In Belgium since June 2006.

This North American species was probably introduced in Europe via The Netherlands (Drenthe, Amersfoort) where many Quercus rubra were planted, and where also a US Airforce base is in the vicinity. The Belgian specimens are probably not a result of direct invasion but by dispersal from the Dutch populations. The first Belgian record is from AN, Berchem, 2006-06-05, leg. Leo Janssen. The species has since then spread out slowly in Belgium and the pure white cocoons are sometimes observed in large numbers.

---

Distribution

---

---