I found this leaf-edge roll on Comfrey yesterday. It looks almost identical to that of Parornix devoniella, but the nearest hazel is ~5m away, and as far as I can tell, (the top leaves are not accessible), there are none of the blotch mines of that species on it. There appears to be nothing that mines Comfrey that creates such a roll, so a bit of a puzzle! The roll is 3cm long, and empty apart from frass at one end, (the left hand end in the image below.)
Hi Phil,
ReplyDeleteParornix devoniella forms a simple leaf-edge fold, held down with silk, whereas this is definitely a roll and there could be many causers (it is worth remembering that tortrix moths are also known as "leaf rollers"). This could perhaps be the work of Cnephasia incertana, which I see from the leaf-mine site is known from Symphytum, but I suspect there will be other possibilities too.
Thanks Dave,
ReplyDeleteI did check the leaf-mine site and decided that none of the mentioned species were likely, but then I hadn't appreciated that tortrix moths are leaf rollers too.