leaf mines for confirmation

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bobhelencoan
Posts: 657
Joined: Thu Mar 12, 2015 6:25 pm
Location: Waverton, Chester

leaf mines for confirmation

Post by bobhelencoan »

A new private path has opened across a water meadow behind The Poplars Hotel on the A41[ SJ 4464]. We found a stand of about 15 fairly young silver birch trees on Wednesday and think we have.
Stigmella sakhalinella mine and parornix betulae leaf folds. These would both be new to our immediate surrounding area. Bob & Helen
Attachments
Parornix betulae on silver birch 23rd Oct 19
Parornix betulae on silver birch 23rd Oct 19
Parornix betulae on silver birch
Parornix betulae on silver birch
Stigmella sakhalinella?
Stigmella sakhalinella?
stevehind
Posts: 2908
Joined: Mon Aug 04, 2008 11:44 am
Location: Higher Poynton, Cheshire

Re: leaf mines for confirmation

Post by stevehind »

Hi Bob & Helen

Yes that is Stigmella sakhalinella. It has become fairly widespread near habitation but has yet to spread into the wider countryside.

I am sure you are correct with Parornix betulae but the mines cannot be separated from Parornix loganella, so best record this as Parornix species, with Parornix betulae in the comments field. Try an earlier visit next year to find some tenanted mines to rear through.

One of the most distinctive mines now on birch is Ectoedemia occultella. Here's one with eleven mines on.

Regards
Steve
Attachments
Ectoedemia occultella - Congleton - S H Hind
Ectoedemia occultella - Congleton - S H Hind
bobhelencoan
Posts: 657
Joined: Thu Mar 12, 2015 6:25 pm
Location: Waverton, Chester

Re: leaf mines for confirmation

Post by bobhelencoan »

Many thanks for that Steve. We have got two leaf folds that look as they may still be occupied. We will try to go to the site again soon but it does involve crossing a water meadow which is being flooded frequently at the moment!. Bob & Helen
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