Phyllonorycter cerasicolella
This record describes Phyllonorycter cerasicolella (species). Recorded family: Gracillariidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 7 to 8 mm. Best recorded from the leafmine. The larva mines the leaves of Wild Cherry and Dwarf Cherry In areas where the larval foodplants occur. In common with a number of other Phyllonorycter species, the species is bivoltine, with adults flying in May and again in August. The larva feeds in a blotch on the underside of a leaf of Cherry (Prunus spp.), including cultivated versions as well as Wild Cherry (Prunus avium) and Dwarf Cherry (Prunus cerasus). Distributed mainly in the southern half on England where this species can be locally frequent at times. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local. http://www.leafmines.co.uk/html/Lepidoptera/P.cerasicolella.htm https://bladmineerders.nl/parasites/animalia/arthropoda/insecta/lepidoptera/ditrysia/gracillarioidea/gracillariidae/lithocolletinae/phyllonorycter/phyllonorycter-cerasicolella/
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 areas where the larval foodplants occur.
Seasonal Activity
In common with a number of other Phyllonorycter species, the species is bivoltine, with adults flying in May and again in August.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larva feeds in a blotch on the underside of a leaf of Cherry (Prunus spp.), including cultivated versions as well as Wild Cherry (Prunus avium) and Dwarf Cherry (Prunus cerasus).
Additional species information
Recorded status
Distributed mainly in the southern half on England where this species can be locally frequent at times. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Phyllonorycter cerasicolella. 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 Phyllonorycter cerasicolella (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Phyllonorycter cerasicolella
What is Phyllonorycter cerasicolella?
Phyllonorycter cerasicolella is a species in the family Gracillariidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Phyllonorycter cerasicolella found?
Habitat: In areas where the larval foodplants occur.
When is Phyllonorycter cerasicolella active?
Phyllonorycter cerasicolella: seasonal activity - In common with a number of other Phyllonorycter species, the species is bivoltine, with adults flying in May and again in August..
What is the life cycle of a Phyllonorycter cerasicolella?
The larva feeds in a blotch on the underside of a leaf of Cherry (Prunus spp.), including cultivated versions as well as Wild Cherry (Prunus avium) and Dwarf Cherry (Prunus cerasus).