Parornix betulae

This record describes Parornix betulae (species). Recorded family: Gracillariidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Wingspan 9 to10 mm. It cannot be separated from other Parornix species without dissection. The larva mines the leaves of Birch, initially creating a narrow inconspicuous gallery leading to small tentiform mine with a brown lower epidermis; later feeding in a folded leaf-edge or tip. Pupation is in leaf-fold on on ground. The larvae are whitish with 4 dark spots on the pronotum, as is typical of Parornix species. Phyllonorycter also make tentiform mines in which they pupate, unlike Parornix . Caloptilia species on birch also mine and fold leaves in a similar way but the larvae do not have the 4 black spots Photograph under-surface of tentiform mine, folds in leaves, and larvae. Note host species The larvae later feed within downward folds, usually at the tip of the leaf, pupating in this site or on the ground. The mines can be found in June and again in September to October and are commonest on birch seedlings. Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common. http://www.leafmines.co.uk/html/Lepidoptera/P.betulae.htm https://bladmineerders.nl/parasites/animalia/arthropoda/insecta/lepidoptera/ditrysia/gracillarioidea/gracillariidae/gracillariinae/parornix/parornix-betulae/

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Gracillariidae
Genus: Parornix

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Habitat

Heaths and open woodland.

Seasonal Activity

The adults fly in May and August.

Diet and Behavior

Life History

The larvae later feed within downward folds, usually at the tip of the leaf, pupating in this site or on the ground. The mines can be found in June and again in September to October and are commonest on birch seedlings.

Additional species information

Recorded status

Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain. 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 Parornix betulae. 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.

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