15.089 BF366a

Cameraria ohridella
Horse-Chestnut Leaf-miner

Deschka & Dimić, 1986

Wingspan c.8 mm.

This species was discovered near Macedonia in 1985, and since then has spread rapidly to other countries in Europe.

It was first discovered in Britain at Wimbledon in south-west London in 2002, but possibly had arrived the previous year, as it was quite plentiful. It is thought that the species may be expanding partially due to accidental transportation by man, either by road or rail. It has now been found quite extensively across Britain, with the odd record from Scotland.

The larva mines the leaves of horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) causing noticeable brown blotches, often many to one leaf. It has become something of a pest species and can cause quite extensive damage to the host tree. There is however, a similar-looking fungus which can cause confusion.

The adult moths resemble other Gracillariidae, although are quite distinctively dark reddish-brown with a noticeable white frons. It is thought that three generations exist.

See also:

• Leafmines (British Leaf Mining Fauna)
• Watch the video Leaf Miners in Horse Chestnuts by The Naked Scientists.