Cameraria ohridella leaf-miner and Sycamore aphid honeydew link?

[Root Beard]

I have observed that Horse Chestnut specimens in the immediate vicinity of Sycamores seem to have a heavier infestation of leaf-miner mid-summer than those that aren't. I monitored 30 specimens in my local area last summer and it seems my theory has some weight. My idea is that the Cameraria ohridella moth might feed on the honeydew produce by the Sycamore aphid, and that the sugar-rush might make it more randy.

 

Has anyone observed similar? Or have any thoughts on this?

 

I admit, it's just a theory. The adult moth does have a fully developed proboscis for feeding but there seems to be no research available on it's feeding habits.

[janey]

That's an interesting theory. It's not something I've seen myself here in London where we get very heavy infestations. I had it in the dark recess of my memory that the adults don't actually feed. This seems to be backed up with the following snippet taken from the NHM 'site:

 

"The adult lives for a few days, and although it has a developed proboscis, there are no published observations of adults feeding."

 

(Biology | Natural History Museum)

[William]

It’s an interesting observation and there is a study available - http://doc.rero.ch/lm.php?url=1000,40,4,20090710125643-PI/Th_PEREC.pdf#page=65 - which found that sycamore can be a host for, but not preferable to HCLM.

 

The author has also written a dissertation on the topic which is available if you search through Google (and have the time to read it) with lots of theories about host interactions – maybe there is a link as you suggest.

 

I would suspect that another factor may be that where there are heavier infestations of HCLM, leaves have not been removed which has allowed populations to build up and simply re-infest the trees the following year. I have seen may parks with long grass along the perimeter containing HC trees with heavy HCLM infestations when compared to low infestations of nearby trees that are situated in maintained grass where leaves have been removed after leaf fall.

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

We have had a lot of success with leaf clearing, it is the key to reducing numbers, clear and burning of the leaves.

[Root Beard]

Thank You Peeps! William, thanks for the study link. Who is the "author" you refer to?

[William]

Sorry, the author is Christelle Pere – you can find at:

 

http://doc.rero.ch/lm.php?url=1000,40,4,20090710125643-PI/Th_PEREC.pdf

[Root Beard]

Thank You!