Cameraria ohridella Mines on Horse Chestnut

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SteveMcBill
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Cameraria ohridella Mines on Horse Chestnut

Post by SteveMcBill »

Cameraria ohridella Mines on Horse Chestnut:

The mines of the micro-moth (Cameraria ohridella) were locally frequent on a Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) tree's leaves today (Sunday 12th October 2008) in Victoria Park, Widnes (Grid Ref.: SJ51508638). This moth has spread northwards since its colonisation of South East England a few years ago (2002).

The mines tend to lie between the veins of the leaf, at least in the early stages, and so look diagonal. Further information can be found at: (http://ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?bf=366a).

Image

Image

The only possible confusion could be with the blotches caused by the fungus (Guignardia aesculi) which also attacks Horse Chestnut leaves at this time of year (late Summer into Autumn) - see below for a picture). These blotches are very dark brown, go across veins as though they do not exist, and have a bright yellow corona around the brown blotch.

Image

Steve :)
SteveMcBill
Posts: 809
Joined: Thu Jul 31, 2008 9:15 am
Location: Runcorn, Cheshire
Contact:

Re: Cameraria ohridella Mines on Horse Chestnut

Post by SteveMcBill »

Been out again this morning (Monday 13th October 2008) in the Halton Village area of Runcorn and have found Cameraria ohridella mines on 5 Horse Chestnut trees and 2 saplings in the area. All mines were vacant.

The records are:

St. Mary's CofE Primary School - SJ54038188 - local - on 2 saplings
St. Mary's CofE Primary School - SJ54028186 - occasional
Town Park - SJ54128162 - local
Town Park - SJ54128163 - local
Town Park - SJ54128164 - local
Town Park - SJ54128166 - local

All of the above trees and saplings also had frequent blotches of the fungal agent (Guignardia aesculi) present.

Cheers

Steve :)
SteveMcBill
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Joined: Thu Jul 31, 2008 9:15 am
Location: Runcorn, Cheshire
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Re: Cameraria ohridella Mines on Horse Chestnut

Post by SteveMcBill »

Lots more mines of Cameraria ohridella were found on Sunday 19th October 2008 by inspecting the Horse Chestnut trees in Runcorn 'old town' centre. Out of 12 trees inspected only one failed to have the mines of this 'new' moth. In many cases the number of mines on each tree was low which tends to suggest a colonisation either this year or at the earliest - last year.

Further trees in Farnworth, Widnes were inspected on the same day and all of these also showed the same levels of infestation

Judging from the almost complete leaf coverage this species can achieve from my observations 2 tears ago just outside Kew Gardens I would think that next year should see an explosion of mines in both the Runcorn and Widnes areas.

Steve :)
SteveMcBill
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Joined: Thu Jul 31, 2008 9:15 am
Location: Runcorn, Cheshire
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Re: Cameraria ohridella Mines on Horse Chestnut

Post by SteveMcBill »

Horse-Chestnut Leafminer (Cameraria ohridella) Survey - 2010:

A 'new' survey of the Horse-Chestnut Leafminer (Cameraria ohridella) is being held during 2010 - see link below:

http://www.ourweboflife.org.uk/

If you do take part (and I hope you do) then please do not forget to send in your records of this leafmining moth and of any parasites which you breed out and are identified by the survey - TO - rECOrd, either via RODIS or by e-mail to: hannah@rECOrd-LRC.co.uk

Many thanks

Steve :)
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