« Back

Phyllonorycter pastorella

Royal midget

Description

Phyllonorycter pastorella is a small moth in the Gracillariidae family with a wingspan of 8–9.5 mm. Its distribution covers much of Europe, excluding the British Isles, Greece, Portugal, Denmark, Norway, Luxembourg, and the Mediterranean islands. The species extends eastward to Russia, China, and Japan. This moth primarily targets members of the Salicaceae family, including Populus alba, Populus nigra, Salix alba, Salix babylonica, Salix fragilis, Salix lanata, and several other Salix species. The larvae feed by mining the leaves of these host plants, forming large, blotch mines on the underside of the leaves with one sharp fold. The pupae develop in a cocoon within the mine.

Symptom

The leaves display large, lower-surface mines with a distinct fold. Mines contain frass in one corner and may lead to partial leaf curling.

Tree Species: Poplar, Willow

Part of a plant- attacked: Leaf / Needle

Pest significance: Less harmful

Pest Category: Insects

Invasive Species: No

Present in EU: Yes