• ABOUT
  • BIRDING 2018
  • Birding 2019
  • BLOG POSTS
  • Butterflies 2018
  • Resources

earthstar

~ a celebration of nature

earthstar

Tag Archives: Bucculatrix thoracella

Leafmines: Bucculatrix thoracella

22 Monday Nov 2021

Posted by sconzani in insects, leaves, plants

≈ Comments Off on Leafmines: Bucculatrix thoracella

Tags

British leafminers, Bucculatrix thoracella, leaf-mining moth, leaf-mining moth larvae, leafmines on lime

I found these mines on Lime leaves a few weeks ago but they will still be visible on the yellowing leaves, just not occupied any more. The tiny white tick shape is distinctive, making it easy to identify these as the mines of the little brown and yellow moth Bucculatrix thoracella.

211122 Bucculatrix thoracella (1)
211122 Bucculatrix thoracella (2)

After the ‘tick’ has been formed, the moth larvae graze beneath the leaves, creating small bare areas known as feeding windows. When they moult, the larvae retreat to cocoons – one of the leafmining experts calls them ‘cocoonets’ (shown below), but their final cocoons can be found either in the leaf litter below the tree or on the Lime’s trunk. I’ve yet to find one of those.

211122 Bucculatrix thoracella (3)
211122 Bucculatrix thoracella (4)

Like this:

Like Loading…

About me

sconzani

sconzani

I'm a writer and photographer; researcher and blogger; birder and nature lover; countryside rambler and city strider; volunteer and biodiversity recorder.

View Full Profile →

Follow Blog via Email

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Recent blog posts

  • A Scaup flies in 4 November 2026
  • Aphid: Cinara brauni 3 November 2026
  • First Firecrest of the autumn 2 November 2026
  • White bryony 1 November 2026
  • Slipper limpets 31 October 2026

From the archives

COPYRIGHT

Unless otherwise acknowledged, the text and photographs on this blog are my own and are subject to international copyright. Nothing may be downloaded or copied without my permission.

Fellow Earth Stars!

  • goateeironb98ef7f4ba
  • joyfullycreation4f2bcb3356
  • vivquinninwellington
  • havahay
  • shillingt
  • Dan (Calm Knees)
  • Rr
  • klindajames
  • scotishhobbit
  • Tammie Rogers
  • Chris Soloman
  • Hannes
  • lizzieiona
  • supernaturallyd92135e67a
  • The New Renaissance Mindset
  • Kana Smith
  • atanabalan
  • MalcolmSafechuck
  • aykutatila
  • Matthew James
  • avenuepress
  • Bob Ramsak
  • Caleb Cheruiyot
  • Jean Reiland
  • FrankieWoodknob
  • Dan (Tai Chi Reset)
  • boruma1977
  • Robert Galpin
  • Alison Moya
  • joweb67
  • Michael Jackson Facts
  • roverrowe
  • moll3
  • UK Safari
  • fadingfun2d25f7d4de
  • lleuadwr
  • mithrilmoon
  • Jillian
  • evie h
  • The Michael Jackson Debate
  • shannon
  • larrybridge
  • Kayann
  • debbiestevens084bd32238
  • Fatima
  • famous65e373e926
  • toure16
  • Strivemindz
  • MLLESHOPPING
  • Dan (10-second balance test)

Powered by WordPress.com.

Loading Comments...
%d