Further records of Phyllocnistis citrella in England and Wales (1991 - 2006) |
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Andy Mitchell has found an occupied mine of Phyllocnistis citrella (opposite). The larva is dead.
Image:© Andy Mitchell |
Although Phyllocnistis citrella has been rarely seen in the UK, this is because of interception at points of entry to the UK. Dr Chris Malumphy (Pest and Disease Identification at the Central Science Laboratory) said that 'Phyllocnistis citrella is a non-indigenous plant pest and if you found live individuals, I would have contacted the Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate (PHSI) in order to assess the situation. However, as all the mines were vacated (which Andy found), it is not necessary in this case. Phyllocnistis citrella mines are relatively common on citrus plants imported from the Mediterranean and citrus leaves imported from Asia. For example, the PHSI have detected P. citrella leaf mines on 88 separate occasions in England and Wales since 1996. It appears to have been first recorded in England on Citrus hystrix leaves imported from Thailand in 1991. The mines have occasionally been found on fruit (Marmara species also mine fruit). The Plant Health and Seed Inspectorate have found the majority of the Citrus hystrix samples at Airports (the import of citrus leaves from outside the EU is prohibited); Most of the samples imported from the Mediterranean were found on growing plants at nurseries and garden centres.' Chris has
kindly supplied full data on
the occurence of this miner in England and Wales since it's
discovery in 1991. |
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