Pear Leaf Blister Moth
Leucoptera malifoliella
This record describes Leucoptera malifoliella (species). Recorded family: Lyonetiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan about 8mm. although well marked, the moth is very similar in appearance to other Leucoptera species. It is probably more easily recorded from the larval leafmines on the leaves of Hawthorn, Apple and Whitebeam. Various habitats, especially where the larval foodplants are present. The larva of the Pear Leaf Blister Moth (Leucoptera malifoliella) makes a distinctive round blotch leafmine in a leaf of Apple, Hawthorn or Pear with a spiral frass pattern in concentric rings, sometimes several mines in one leaf. Occupied mines can be found in August and September. Although distributed throughout England and into Southern Scotland, this species can be rather erratic in its occurrence and can be quite a difficult species to track down. In some years there is a population explosion when it appears commonly, but in between can be quite uncommon. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common. http://www.leafmines.co.uk/html/Lepidoptera/L.malifoliella.htm https://bladmineerders.nl/parasites/animalia/arthropoda/insecta/lepidoptera/ditrysia/yponomeutoidea/lyonetiidae/leucoptera/leucoptera-malifoliella/#:~:text=pear%2Dleaf%20blister%20moth&text=Oviposition%20is%20at%20the%20leaf,trace%20of%20a%20preceding%20corridor.
Wikipedia reference for Leucoptera malifoliella: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leucoptera_malifoliella.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Lyonetiidae
- Genus
- Leucoptera
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Various habitats, especially where the larval foodplants are present.
Seasonal Activity
The adult moths fly in June and July.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larva of the Pear Leaf Blister Moth (Leucoptera malifoliella) makes a distinctive round blotch leafmine in a leaf of Apple, Hawthorn or Pear with a spiral frass pattern in concentric rings, sometimes several mines in one leaf. Occupied mines can be found in August and September.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Although distributed throughout England and into Southern Scotland, this species can be rather erratic in its occurrence and can be quite a difficult species to track down. In some years there is a population explosion when it appears commonly, but in between can be quite uncommon. 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 Leucoptera malifoliella. 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 Pear Leaf Blister Moth (3)
Frequently Asked Questions About Pear Leaf Blister Moth
What is Pear Leaf Blister Moth?
Pear Leaf Blister Moth (Leucoptera malifoliella) is a species in the family Lyonetiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Pear Leaf Blister Moth found?
Habitat: Various habitats, especially where the larval foodplants are present.
When is Pear Leaf Blister Moth active?
Pear Leaf Blister Moth: seasonal activity - The adult moths fly in June and July..
What is the life cycle of a Pear Leaf Blister Moth?
The larva of the Pear Leaf Blister Moth (Leucoptera malifoliella) makes a distinctive round blotch leafmine in a leaf of Apple, Hawthorn or Pear with a spiral frass pattern in concentric rings, sometimes several mines in one leaf. Occupied mines can be found in August and September.