Photo © Mike Wall

Pear Leaf Blister Moth

Leucoptera malifoliella

Checklist Number
21.008 [B&F: 0260]

Verification
Record will normally be accepted but photo evidence may be required - check with CMR if not sure of identity

Classification

Family:Lyonetiidae
Subfamily:Cemiostominae
Genus:Leucoptera
Species:malifoliella
Authority:(Costa, [1836])

Common, appearing in profusion in hot summers, in hedgerows, orchards and gardens throughout much of England, Wales and southern Scotland; otherwise, rather scarce. In Hampshire irregularly distributed in the south-east and north-west; on the Isle of Wight mainly restricted to the north coast. Wingspan 7-8 mm. Most records are of the larval mines, but occasionally recorded at light, the main confusion species being L. lotella, but forewing of L. malifoliella broader, with no purple-black apical spot, and third cilial bar directed more or less outwards (MBGBI Vol 2). Larva mines leaves of Hawthorn, Apple and Pear, causing sufficient damage to be a serious pest in some years, and over-wintering as a pupa.

The abundance in each month is indicated as follows:

No records
Very occasional
Irregular
Uncommon
Off-peak, but not unusual
Off-peak, but not unusual
Main flight time
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Adult
Larval

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)