Leaf Miners

[Razzle]

Interesting to see oak leaf miners causing this amount of damage so early in the season. Currently selectively spraying some Horse Chestnuts to prevent heavy HCLM infestation in the northwest. Much more effective than disease control even with a single treatment and healthier foliage means reduced susceptibility to pseudomonas and phytophthora. Treatment for oak leaf miner would have to differ with it being a weevil.

[David Humphries]

Holm oak leaf miner; Ectoedemia heringella first discovered in Greater London in 2002 , although there is also Stigmella suberivora associated with the tree whos mines are broader and less contorted.

 

Unlike the holly leaf miner there are multiple miners per leaf

 

The adult emerges as a moth similar in size to the horse chestnut leaf miner (Cameraria)

 

.

[David Humphries]

Interesting to see oak leaf miners causing this amount of damage so early in the season............ Treatment for oak leaf miner would have to differ with it being a weevil.

 

Relatively mild winter would have had a significant effect on the number of bugs I would imagine.

 

Also imagine that when phenolgy is taken into account, there will be a greater number of indigenous predators (birds/bats/spiders etc....) to keep the increased pest numbers in tow.

 

.

[David Humphries]

I guess for reference I shouldn't leave out the one that is making the loudest noise....

 

Cameraria ohridella; Horse chestnut leaf miner

 

.

[armybloke]

David, you can not fault personal experiences over books but there is one book that is very good at providing good pictures and descriptions. So for anyone else interested;

 

Pests of Ornamental Trees, Shrubs and Flowers - David V Alford

[David Humphries]

Indeed Marco, a fine reference

 

But no Cameraria, and although packed full of great images, a little light on context images I find.

 

 

Having said that, mine's a '95 edition so probably a fair bit out of date.

.

[armybloke]

Mine is 2003 and in hardback - not sure if the photo plates have been updated but it gets lots of use.

 

Still no Cameraria!

 

Nice book collection, must send you a photo of mine to compare

 

Must buy the mobile app oneday

[armybloke]

Holm oak leaf miner; Ectoedemia heringella first discovered in Greater London in 2002 , although there is also Stigmella suberivora associated with the tree whos mines are broader and less contorted.

 

Unlike the holly leaf miner there are multiple miners per leaf

 

The adult emerges as a moth similar in size to the horse chestnut leaf miner (Cameraria)

 

.

 

David, saw a couple of Holm Oak decimated by these critters today. Trees are off a highway and so stopping was tricky but I am going back in the area tomorrow so will take a proper look. Weather suits these guys I guess. Spot of rain then some sunshine!

[David Humphries]

really useful guide to the lepidoptera leaf miners in the UK, listing food plants as a key.......

 

mine key

 

 

.

[David Humphries]

Here's what we believe is oak leaf miner, called Rhynchaenus quercus

Unlike the Chestnut leaf miner (Cameraria ohridellha) its not a moth but a weevil.

 

Haven't come across the emergent adult weevil before but here's what it looks like.....

picture taken from Claude Schott's website Entomologie en Alsace

.

 

having delved a bit deeper, it may possibly be the mines of a moth which is probabaly more common

 

Eriocrania subpurpurella - UKMoths

 

Lep:Eriocraniidae

 

.