Leaf minor on beech ?

[stihllearning2]

I went to the tall trees trail in the New forest today,I also had a look in the arboretum over the road, I noticed the prevalence of this leaf minor in all the beech on the site and then with my Arb vision Tuned in all over the New forest. I'm just down the road in Dorset and have never noticed it before . Can anyone enlighten me please

[David Humphries]

Possibly the larvae of Orchestes fagi

 

[stihllearning2]

Possibly the larvae of Orchestes fagi
 

Thanks David, is this a common occurrence ? It's all over the place in the NF

[David Humphries]

Not sure if it is the Beech weevil or something else (but suspect it is)

 

Depends on on the level of infestation and the effect it has on the leaves ability to photosynthesise and to transpire and also the level of local predation.

 

Have seen it in on the Beech of Epping Forest at heavy infestation, but not entirely sure of its long term effect on those trees. 

 

We don't seem to have beech weevil larvae on our beech trees at Hampstead Heath in north Lndon at anywhere near the same level, but have different leaf miner infestations like Holm oak and holly. 

 

Guess it's a regional thing.

[stihllearning2]

Thanks ,I took loads of pics so will do some research on beech weevil

[stihllearning2]

It looks like it is beech weevil and I found some pretty disturbing articles about its impact on beech populations in North America and Canada. I think I'm going to send an email to Alice Holt..

[OakStag]

Do all the tree work for that outdoor center some lovely drilling into trees practices undertaken there. :0

[Gary Prentice]

Reading this, I wondered if there's a beech leaf minor, is there a beech leaf 'major'? 

 

Just kidding. Just came across this useful site http://www.ukflymines.co.uk/Keys/FAGUS.php

[stihllearning2]

Thanks gary

[stihllearning2]

Do all the tree work for that outdoor center some lovely drilling into trees practices undertaken there. :0

Is it something they are worried about ? Drilling to survey ? Noticed some very recent deadwooding over the path....looked like fun