The new kid on the block

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