I recently found a mine of the Royal Leaf-miner Phyllonorycter pastorella near Peterborough. I noticed the scarcity of records across the Upper Thames area (albeit only records up to 2022) and thought I would have a look for it locally.
Phyllonorycter pastorella mines long-leaved willows such as Hybrid Crack-Willow Salix x fragilis, Crack-Willow Salix fragilis, Weeping Willow Salix x sepulcralis and White Willow Salix alba.
I had a short walk around Hughenden Park this morning, and found several mines on three different looking willows.
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| Phyllonorycter pastorella on Weeping Willow Salix x sepulchralis. |
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| Phyllonorycter pastorella on Hybrid Crack Willow Salix x fragilis |
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| Phyllonorycter pastorella on Crack-Willow type Salix fragilis agg. |
The first record of this species was from Buckingham Palace gardens in 2014. It seems to be spreading quickly with records of mines from Kent west to Oxfordshire and north to Nottinghamshire.
If you have long-leaved willows nearby (they usually occur near water) it is worth checking them out. It is a lower surface mine extending from the centre vein to the leaf edge and with a single strong crease. Pupation in the mine in a flimsy cocoon and frass in the opposite corner.
Neil Fletcher
Walter's Ash VC24
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