Food Plant: Prunus spinosa (Blackthorn) Elsewhere Crataegus spp, (Hawthorrn), Prunus avium (Bird Vherry)

Mine: September-May

Notes: A tiny first case is formed from an excised subrectangular block (2.5x1.5 mm). This is fixed vertically to the leaf. After a short period a second case is excised from then leaf edge which then becomes the winter case, although in some years they form a third case before overwintering fully fed. In the spring a third (and final) case is formed from the leaf edge. Pupation is on a twig or attached to the leaf upper surfcae. Found in blacktorn scrub in southern coastal locations. Adult reared to confirm identification. Gen. det. female Peter R Hall.

National Status: pRDB2

Bradley No; 496a

Data: 30.vi.2023, Dungeness, East Kent, VC15

Image:© Will Langdon