Key for the identification of the known mines of British
insects (Diptera and non-Diptera) recorded on
Picea
|
1a > Leaf
miner and case-bearer: The larva lives in a silken tube, covered with
fragments of bark and lichen on the bark of the older part of a branch.
From this tube the larva mines the basal half of a number of leaves.
The larva moults in the tube, and pupates in a side branch of it.. |
On Picea in Britain and Abies and Picea elsewhere. Widepread in Britain
and continental Europe.
|
Batrachedra
pinicolella (Zeller, 1839) [Lepidoptera: Batrachedridae]. |
1b > Leaf-miner,
but not a case-bearer |
2 |
2a > Leaf-miner: Groups of young needles are completely mined out by the young larvae.
Between the needles only a few strands of silk (often also bud scales
are trapped in the silk). Later in summer the larva lives free among
spun needles. Larva light greenish, with black brown head and pronotum. Anal comb present,
c. 6 prongs. Pinacula moderately large, concolorous with the integument.
Prolegs with c. 45 crochets in a double row. |
On Abies and Picea in Britain and elsewhere. Widespread
in Britain and continental Europe.
|
Epinotia
pygmaeana (Hübner, 1799) [Lepidoptera: Tortricidae]. |
2b > Leaf-miner: Eggs are deposited in groups of 4-5 on top of the midrib of a young
needle. The larva penetrates a needle through an oval opening made
in the lower half of a leaf, eats its way up to the tip, then down
again, finally leaving the leaf through the same opening. A number
of needles are mined in this way. The crossing is protected by spinning
between the needles. After a first moult the larva begins to mine
less young leaves. Older larvae live free among spun needles.Head black or yellowish brown with black sides; pronotum black.
Body pale yellowish to greyish green; pinacula inconspicuous. |
On Abies and Picea in Britain and elsewhere.
Widespread in continental Europe.
|
Epinotia
subsequana (Haworth, 1811) [Lepidoptera: Tortricidae]. |
2c > Leaf-miner: The larva mines about five needles completely out, moving from one
needle to the other by way of a silken tube along the twig. Most
frass remains in the tube. The larva mines all its life. Pupation
external, often in the tube. |
On Picea in Britain and elsewhere. Widespread in Britain and continental Europe. Also recorded from the Republic of Ireland
|
Epinotia
nanana (Treitschke, 1835) [Lepidoptera: Tortricidae]. |
2d > Leaf-miner: The
larvae feed among the needles, mining when small, and later in an
untidy spinning.
The
larva completely mines a group of c. 15 needles. The larva penetrates
the base of the needles. Most frass is deposited outside the mines.
The mined needles are surrounded by a light spinning, especially
around their bases and therefore do not drop quickly. Pupation external. |
|
On Picea in Britain and elsewhere. Fairly common throughout the British Isles. Also recorded in the Republic of Ireland. Widespread in continental Europe.
|
Epinotia
tedella (Clerck, 1759) [Lepidoptera: Tortricidae]. |
2e > Leaf-miner: A group of four to six leaves are completely mined out from the
base on. The leaves have a hole near their base; these entrances
may be connected by a silken tube. Between the leaves a loose spinning.
All frass is ejected. Mines preferably occur when a tree has been
weakened by weather conditions or insect pest damage. The larvae orange brown, straw coloured to brick red with light brown head;
much darker during the winter rest. Pronotum darker, with lighter
anterior border. |
On Picea in Britain and elsewhere. Distribution in Britain unknown. Widespread in continental Europe
|
Coleotechnites
piceaella (Kearfott, 1903) [Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae] |
2f > Leaf-miner: In Belgium the larva feeds at first between some needles of Larix spun together. It has been observed also on Picea sitchensis. After hibernation it feeds in the expanding buds. Pupation in
the larval feeding place (Belgian
Lepidoptera). In late summer the larva spins a few needles together,
and mines them out. The larva hibernates between some mined needles
that haven been spun together. After hibernation the larva bores
into a developing bud, eventually pupating there. |
On Picea in Britain
and Larix and Picea elsewhere. England and Wales.
Also recorded in the Republic of Ireland. Widespread in continental
Europe.
|
Spilonota
laricana (Heinemann, 1863) [Lepidoptera:
Tortricidae]. |