Lyonetia prunifoliella
This record describes Lyonetia prunifoliella (species). Recorded family: Lyonetiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 9 to10 mm. The most likely way to record this species is probably to search for the larval leafmines on Blackthorn. The larval mine is a narrow gallery leading to a clear blotch. Strings of black frass hang beneath the blotches. The pupal cocoon is suspended from silken 'guyropes' and closely resembles that of Lyonetia clerkella . Adult: Whilst this species remains uncommon in VC55, good photos are required or retain the specimen for confirmation from the County Recorder. Leafmine: Good backlit photographs are required, showing gallery/blotch and frass in strings below mine. It may be necessary to get confirmation from the County Recorder. Hedgerows and gardens where the larval host tree species occur. The adult moths fly in September, and overwinter, appearing again in the spring. The larva mines the leaves of various roseaceous trees, such as Blackthorn, Plum/Damson and Apple. After seemingly dying out in Britain for over 100 years, this moth made a re-appearance in 2007 since when it has been encountered with increasing frequency and looks to be becoming more widespread. At the time of the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was still classified as pRDB1 though this status may need to be reviewed as its numbers continue to increase.
Wikipedia reference for Lyonetia prunifoliella: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyonetia_prunifoliella.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Yponomeutoidea
- Family
- Lyonetiidae (Lyonet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Lyonetiinae
- Genus
- Lyonetia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Hedgerows and gardens where the larval host tree species occur.
Seasonal Activity
The adult moths fly in September, and overwinter, appearing again in the spring.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larva mines the leaves of various roseaceous trees, such as Blackthorn, Plum/Damson and Apple.
Additional species information
Recorded status
After seemingly dying out in Britain for over 100 years, this moth made a re-appearance in 2007 since when it has been encountered with increasing frequency and looks to be becoming more widespread. At the time of the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was still classified as pRDB1 though this status may need to be reviewed as its numbers continue to increase.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Lyonetia prunifoliella. 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 Lyonetia prunifoliella (3)
Frequently Asked Questions About Lyonetia prunifoliella
What is Lyonetia prunifoliella?
Lyonetia prunifoliella is a species in the family Lyonetiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Lyonetia prunifoliella found?
Habitat: Hedgerows and gardens where the larval host tree species occur.
When is Lyonetia prunifoliella active?
Lyonetia prunifoliella: seasonal activity - The adult moths fly in September, and overwinter, appearing again in the spring..
What is the life cycle of a Lyonetia prunifoliella?
The larva mines the leaves of various roseaceous trees, such as Blackthorn, Plum/Damson and Apple.