Spotted Tentiform Miner, Phyllonorycter blancardella

Phyllonorycter blancardella, Spotted tentiform miner is a damaging insect of apple and pear.

The synonym is Lithocolletis blancardella. The other common name of this insect is Blotch miner. The species is commonly distributed in France, England and Wales, Scotland, Ireland and other parts of Europe.

Russell IPM manufactures and supplies pheromone lures, traps and complete monitoring systems for Phyllonorycter blancardella, Spotted tentiform miner. Pheromone trap data gives early warning of the infestation and also exhibits the density of the insect population.

Biology

Adult wingspan is 7-9 mm. The fore wings narrow and golden brown, with large yellowish belt, hind wings are very narrow with wide outer edge. Larvae are 6 to 8 mm long. The larva lives as a miner on the upper surface of the leaf. The larvae pupate in the leaf. Three to four generations are occurs with in a year. The adults emerge started in May, June and August.

Nature of Damage

The larvae feed on the leaves of apple. The larva lives as a miner on the upper surface of the leaf and creates mine between two veins of leaf. The mine is oval, swollen and covered with small grey spots. On the underside of the leaf, the epidermis is brownish and wrinkled. The frass is grouped in the central area of the mine, amongst small silken threads. Damage is visible in the form of whitish marks on upper surface on leaves (according to inra.fr).

Monitoring

Russell IPM manufactures and supplies pheromone lure – the Qlure, traps and complete monitoring systems for Phyllonorycter blancardella, Spotted tentiform miner.

Pheromone trap data gives early warning of the infestation and will also alert the user to a low level of population before it becomes serious.

The lure can be best applied with the Mothcatcher trap or Delta trap.