Anyone out walking in the countryside now should keep a look-out for the mines of Lyonetia prunifoliella on blackthorn (young growth seems to be preferred). The species is a recent re-colonist of southern UK counties and seems to be spreading quite rapidly. The first records for Bucks came as adults via the Rothamsted trap at Burnham Beeches (2018 & 2019), then Andy King trapped one in Chorleywood in July 2020. Breeding in the county was confirmed later the same year when I found some active mines in the centre of Finemere Wood and reared them through (see here). It has certainly been found in Oxfordshire and I imagine should also be present now in Berkshire too.
Today I found a couple more mines on very young blackthorn planted recently by HS2 Ltd in BBOWT's meadows on the south side of Finemere Wood. The whips had only a short amount of stem and a few leaves protruding above their rabbit protectors. The mines were at a fairly early stage but the larvae soon consume most of the interior of the leaf and the blotches then become blindingly obvious!
Mines of Lyonetia prunifoliella, 11th September |
While walking around the same meadows I was also pleased to find some active mines of Phyllonorycter lantanella on Wayfaring Tree Vibernum lantana, a moth species I've not previously recorded in Bucks.
Dave Wilton Westcott, Bucks
Nice one, Dave! Second Oxon rec at Warburg yesterday too - found 36 mines.
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