21.002 BF262

Lyonetia prunifoliella

(Hübner, 1796)

Wingspan 9-10 mm.

Formerly locally resident in parts of southern and central England, this moth seemed to have died out as a British species, and had not been reliably encountered since around 1900. The first recent record appears to be in 2007, since when it has been encountered with increasing frequency in a number of counties including Dorset, Norfolk and on the Isle of Wight, Hampshire.

Abroad it is quite common on mainland Europe and eastwards into Asia.

The larva mines the leaves of various roseaceous trees, such as blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) and apple (Malus), forming a gallery leading to a blotch. The pupal cocoon is suspended from silken 'guyropes' and closely resembles that of L. clerkella.

The adult moths fly in September, and overwinter, appearing again in the spring.

See also: Leafmine (De bladmineerders van Nederland)