Photo © Dave Cooke

Apple Pith Moth

Blastodacna atra

Checklist Number
39.002 [B&F: 0906]

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

Classification

Family:Parametriotidae
Subfamily:Parametriotinae
Genus:Blastodacna
Species:atra
Authority:(Haworth, 1828)

Nationally scarce (Nb) in orchards and gardens throughout much of England, southern Wales and southern Scotland; rare in Ireland. In Hampshire recorded mainly in the south-east; in the north recorded for the first time in 1996, since when rare outside SU65. First recorded on the Isle of Wight at Freshwater in 2011. Wingspan 10-12.5 mm. Differs from B. hellerella in the forewing by the creamy white markings and the presence of yellow-ochreous scales at the base of the dorsum (MBGBI Vol 4 part 1). Larva mines twigs of Apple, causing sufficient damage to be a serious pest in some areas.

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)

No Larval records to show.