Firethorn Leaf Miner
Phyllonorycter leucographella
This record describes Phyllonorycter leucographella (species). Recorded family: Gracillariidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 7 to 9 mm. Resemble other Phyllonorycter species, with a buff ground colour and whitish chevrons. Often easier to find the leaf mine which can be on Firethorn ( Pyracantha ) plus a number of other plant species including Hawthorn, Apple, London Plane and Cotoneaster. The mine is usually on the upper side, silvery in appearance and over the midrib. Phyllonorycter corylifoliella also causes upper-surface leaf mines on various species in Rosaceae, but when mature these are flecked with blackish frass grains Having a number of generations, the adults can be found between April and October. As a larva, it mines the leaves of rosaceous bushes, but mainly those of Firethorn. It forms a blotch in the centre of a leaf, leaving a thin membrane through which the larva can be seen, being whitish with black blotches. Now fairly common in parts of England. Discovered in Essex in 1989, this species has spread rapidly northwards through England to parts of north Yorkshire. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common. http://www.leafmines.co.uk/html/Lepidoptera/P.leucographella.htm https://bladmineerders.nl/parasites/animalia/arthropoda/insecta/lepidoptera/ditrysia/gracillarioidea/gracillariidae/lithocolletinae/phyllonorycter/phyllonorycter-leucographella/
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Gracillariidae
- Genus
- Phyllonorycter
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
In gardens and other suburban habitats.
Seasonal Activity
Having a number of generations, the adults can be found between April and October.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
As a larva, it mines the leaves of rosaceous bushes, but mainly those of Firethorn. It forms a blotch in the centre of a leaf, leaving a thin membrane through which the larva can be seen, being whitish with black blotches.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Now fairly common in parts of England. Discovered in Essex in 1989, this species has spread rapidly northwards through England to parts of north Yorkshire. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Phyllonorycter leucographella. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Firethorn Leaf Miner (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Firethorn Leaf Miner
What is Firethorn Leaf Miner?
Firethorn Leaf Miner (Phyllonorycter leucographella) is a species in the family Gracillariidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Firethorn Leaf Miner found?
Habitat: In gardens and other suburban habitats.
When is Firethorn Leaf Miner active?
Firethorn Leaf Miner: seasonal activity - Having a number of generations, the adults can be found between April and October..
What is the life cycle of a Firethorn Leaf Miner?
As a larva, it mines the leaves of rosaceous bushes, but mainly those of Firethorn. It forms a blotch in the centre of a leaf, leaving a thin membrane through which the larva can be seen, being whitish with black blotches.