The leaf and stem mines of British flies and other insects
 

(Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera)

by Brian Pitkin, Willem Ellis, Colin Plant and Rob Edmunds

 

X CUPROCYPARIS. [Cupressaceae]


One species of X Cuprocyparis, C. leylandii, is recorded in Britain.

 



Key for the identification of the known mines of British
insects (Diptera and non-Diptera) recorded on X Cuprocyparis


1a > Leaf-miner: Oviposition on a young shoot. The larva penetrates a leaf, empties it, leaves it, often by making another hole in the epidermis, and starts a new mine. Older larvae bore in a twig. Pupation external. Mines twigs rurn brown and are dropped.

Mines of Argyresthia trifasciata on Thuja occidentalis Image: © Willem Ellis (Bladmineerders en plantengallen van Europa)
Mines of Argyresthia trifasciata on Thuja occidentalis
Image: © Willem Ellis (Bladmineerders van Europa)

On Chamaecyparis, Cupressocyparis, Juniperus and Thuja in Britain and elsewhere. Widespread in Britain and continental Europe.

Argyresthia trifasciata Staudinger, 1871 [Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae].

1b > Leaf-miner: During autumn the larva mines a mere 9-12 leaves - the damage is quite inconspicuous. Hibernation occurs within the mine, and during mild days feeding may continue. After hibernation the larva lives as a borer, and empties 4-6 shoots, over a length of 0.5 - 2.5 mm, just below the tip of the shoot. The damaged shoots wilt and die off.

Argyresthia cupressella
Mine of Argyrethia cupressella
Image: © Ben Smart

On Cupressaceae in Britain and Chamaecyparis, Cupressocyparis, Juniperus and Thuja elsewhere.

Argyresthia cupressella Walsingham, 1890 [Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae].



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