Parectopa robiniella

Locust digitate leaf miner

Description

Adults give rise to a new generation in May and the beginning of June. After mating, females lay eggs on the lower side of leaves near lateral veins. The mines appear at the end of May and larvae pupate in the middle of June. Feeding mark appears in the middle part of the upper leaf; it transcends the middle vein and is irregular, amoeboid in shape. Pest usually has three generation per year in the South and two generations in the North. It prefers the warmer climate of the southern regions where it can cause local defoliation of black locust. It is native to North America, but was accidentally introduced to Europe (Italy), where it was first found in 1970. It has now been found in mayn countries in Europe, including Italy, Germany, Slovenia, Croatia, Austria, Slovakia, Romania, Ukraine, Hungary etc.

Symptom

Amoebic mine on top of the leaf. Feeding mark appears in the middle part of the upper leaf; it transcends the middle vein and is irregular, amoeboid in shape.

Tree Species: Black Locust

Part of a plant- attacked: Leaf / Needle

Pest significance: Less harmful

Pest Category: Insects

Invasive Species: Yes

Present in EU: Yes