Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
519
520
519
Adult of
Caloptilia syringella
.
520
Lilac leaf miner (
Caloptilia syringella
).
521
522
521
Habitation of lilac leaf miner (
Caloptilia syringella
) on
Syringa
.
522
Habitation of lilac leaf miner (
Caloptilia syringella
) on
Fraxinus
.
Caloptilia syringella
(Fabricius) (
519-522
)
syn.
Gracillaria syringella
(Fabricius)
larva
at an angle to the leaf surface. Eggs are laid singly or in
rows on the midrib of host plants. Young larvae mine in
the leaves, the galleries commencing as narrow channels
but soon widening into expansive blotches; several larvae
usually feed together. Later in their development the
larvae feed within distinctive, frass-filled shelters formed
from webbed-down leaves. Occupied larval mines or
tents are most common in June and from August to
September. Fully grown individuals pupate within
greyish-white cocoons constructed on the underside of a
leaf or amongst litter on the ground. Individuals of the
first generation usually pupate in June or July, and adults
emerge shortly afterwards. Those of the second pupate in
October, and adults appear in the following spring.
lilac leaf miner
An often abundant pest of lilac (
Syringa
) and privet
(
Ligustrum vulgare
); ash (
Fraxinus excelsior
) and, less
frequently, mock privet (
Phillyrea latifolia
) and white
jasmine (
Jasminum officinale
) are also attacked.
Eurasiatic. Widespread in Europe; also present in North
America.
=
DESCRIPTION
Adult:
10-13 mm wingspan; fore wings golden brown,
with various dark-edged, whitish-yellow markings; hind
wings dark brown.
Larva:
up to 7 mm long; greenish
white to yellowish white and translucent, with a darker
green gut; head pale brownish yellow.
Pupa:
4 mm
long; brownish yellow.
DAMAGE
Feeding by young larvae leads to distinctive leaf
discoloration and distortion. The prominent larval tents,
formed either from a single leaf (as on lilac) or from
several webbed-down leaves or leaflets (as on ash),
disfigure host plants; badly affected sections of privet
hedges appear scorched.
LIFE HISTORY
Adults occur in two distinct generations, from April to
May and in July. They may be seen at rest on host plants,
adopting a typical position with the wings and body held
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