Phyllonorycter platani
This record describes Phyllonorycter platani (species). Recorded family: Gracillariidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 8 to 10 mm. Similar to some other members of its family and care is needed with identification. The larvae mine Plane tree leaves, causing a large tentiform mine on the leaf undersurface. Leafmine occurs on London Plane (and sometimes on Oriental Plane). Photograph the mine; note host species in comments The moths fly in late April to May and in August. The food plant of the larvae is London plane (Platanus x hispanica). It is because of this foodplant that the moth will inevitably have a more suburban distribution. The mines formed by this moth in October and November are large and very distinctive, with several mines often appearing on one leaf. Since its discovery in London in 1989, this species has slowly spread through the Southern counties of the UK and into the West Country and Midlands. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local. http://www.leafmines.co.uk/html/Lepidoptera/P.platani.htm https://bladmineerders.nl/parasites/animalia/arthropoda/insecta/lepidoptera/ditrysia/gracillarioidea/gracillariidae/lithocolletinae/phyllonorycter/phyllonorycter-platani/
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Gracillarioidea
- Family
- Gracillariidae (Leaf Blotch Miner Moths)
- Subfamily
- Lithocolletinae
- Genus
- Phyllonorycter
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Where London Plane trees are present.
Seasonal Activity
The moths fly in late April to May and in August.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The food plant of the larvae is London plane (Platanus x hispanica). It is because of this foodplant that the moth will inevitably have a more suburban distribution. The mines formed by this moth in October and November are large and very distinctive, with several mines often appearing on one leaf.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Since its discovery in London in 1989, this species has slowly spread through the Southern counties of the UK and into the West Country and Midlands. 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 platani. 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 platani (8)
Frequently Asked Questions About Phyllonorycter platani
What is Phyllonorycter platani?
Phyllonorycter platani is a species in the family Gracillariidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Phyllonorycter platani found?
Habitat: Where London Plane trees are present.
When is Phyllonorycter platani active?
Phyllonorycter platani: seasonal activity - The moths fly in late April to May and in August..
What is the life cycle of a Phyllonorycter platani?
The food plant of the larvae is London plane (Platanus x hispanica). It is because of this foodplant that the moth will inevitably have a more suburban distribution. The mines formed by this moth in October and November are large and very distinctive, with several mines often appearing on one leaf.