Phyllonorycter rajella

Phyllonorycter rajella is a moth of the family Gracillariidae. It is known from all of Europe, except the Iberian Peninsula and Greece.

Mined alder leaf
Larva

Phyllonorycter rajella
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Gracillariidae
Genus:
Phyllonorycter
Species:
P. rajella
Binomial name
Phyllonorycter rajella
Synonyms
  • Phalaena rajella Linnaeus, 1758
  • Tinea alnifoliella Hubner, 1796

The wingspan is 7–9 mm. There are two generations per year with adults on wing in May and again in August.[2]

The larvae feed on Alnus cordata, Alnus glutinosa, Alnus incana, Alnus oregona and Alnus viridis, mining the leaves of their host plant. They create a lower-surface tentiform mine, usually in the axle of a thick lateral vein and there is one strong lengthwise fold. Pupation takes place in a tough off-white cocoon that is attached to the floor and the roof of the mine. Most frass is incorporated in the sides of the cocoon.[3]

References
  1. Fauna Europaea
  2. Kimber, Ian. "15.067 BF345 Phyllonorycter rajella". ukmoths. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  3. Ellis, W N. "Phyllonorycter rajella". Plant Parasites of Europe. Retrieved 18 August 2018.


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