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) were 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.

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Distribution

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