Food Plant: Prunus spinosa (Blackthorn)

Mine: June, possibly also August-September

Notes: This is only known from Dungeness in Kent, feeding on the prostrate form of Prunus spinosa. The larval stages are described for the first time (Beavan, Heckford & Langdon (2026)). The larvae form upwardly spun leaves in later instars, which distinguish them from the downwardly spun leaves of P.finitimella and P.torquillella.The larva constructs a white flat silken spinning on the upper surface of a leaf, which extends throughout the leaf but not to its base. The silk then contracts and the leaf forms a tube or pod. Frass accumulates at the apex of this spinning, as the larva feeds on the upper parenchyma, turning the leaf brown where it has been feeding. A final instar larva is shown. The larva contructs a silken cocoon, in which it pupates. It is possible that the larva mines leaves in early instars, but this needs further investgation.

Data: 28.vi.2025, Dungeness, Kent, VC15

Image:© S.D. Beavan & R.J. Heckford