14.012 BF275

Bucculatrix bechsteinella

(Bechstein & Scharfenberg, 1805)

Wingspan 7-9 mm.

The larvae of this species feed in July and August, initially mining the leaves of Crataegus, Pyrus, Malus or Sorbus spp in a short, contorted gallery.

As the larva develops it leaves the mine to feed externally, creating windows on the upperside of the leaves.

Pupation occurs in a ribbed white cocoon spun on debris. The winter is passed in this stage.

The adults emerge in May and early June. The moth occurs in wooded areas throughout England and southern Scotland.