15.045 BF325

Phyllonorycter mespilella

(Hübner, [1805])

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Wingspan c. 7mm.

A rather scarce and local species, although distributed quite widely over much of England and Wales with some localities in Scotland and Ireland.

The adult moths are rather similar to several other Phyllonorycter species, and care must be taken with identification unless reared from one of the obvious foodplants.

The larvae create long, narrow blister mines on the underside of the leaves of wild service-tree (Sorbus torminalis), sometimes on other rosaceous trees such as pear (Pyrus).

There are two broods, with adults in May and August, and leaf mines apparent in July/August and from October onwards.