Food Plant: Ulmus spp.

Mine: June-August

Notes: A gallery is formed from a vein (where the egg is laid). A blotch develops, with a dark centre (as shown), where the cocoon is formed. this is the first discovery of these mines in Britain, adults emerged 31.viii.2024. Adults first discovered in Britain in Bedfordshire (Gurney & Lane (2023). Orchestes alni forms similar mines but occurs earlier in the year and is on developing leaves, which can lead to leaf distortion, whereas O.betuleti develops on mature leaves and causes no distortion.

Data: 26.viii.2024, Willoughby Waterleys, Leicestershire, VC55

Image:© Graham Calow

References:
Gurney M & Lane SA (2023), Orchestes betuleti (Panzer, 1795) (Curculionidae) new to Britain, The Coleopterist 32 (3) 126-133