15.033 BF309

Parornix torquillella

(Zeller, 1850)

Wingspan 9-10 mm.

The main foodplant of this species is blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), in common with its close relative, Parornix finitimella.

It is rather difficult to distinguish the two mines, but the larvae are quite different; the present species is green with green legs, P. finitimella grey with blackish legs.

The adults are more difficult to separate, and genitalia examination is usually necessary to identify them. The moths fly from May to July, and sometimes are attracted to light.