Caloptilia cuculipennella (Hübner, 1796)

feathered slender

on Fraxinus, etc.

Fraxinus excelsior, Hungary, Kimle, 17.vii.2019 © László Érsek

the long initial gallery

leaf rolls

larve

cocoon in the leaf roll

pupa, dorsal view

pupa, ventral view

Fraxinus excelsior, Retranchement © Anna Almekinders

leaf roll

Fraxinus excelsior, Belgium, Antoing © Chris Snyers

leaf roll

Ligustrum ovalifolium, Belgium, Zemst © Jorgen Ravoet

Fraxinus excelsior, Spain, Asturias, Gijon © Jean-Yves Baugnée

Fraxinus excelsior, Drachten © Gerrit Tuinstra: seven rolls in two leaves

cocoon

Fraxinus excelsior, France, dép. Haute-Garonne, Avignonet-Lauragais © Catherine Reymonet

several mines in a leaf

two larvae in their mine (later leaf rolls have been observed, but were not photographed)

Fraxinus chinensis subsp. rhynchophylla, België, prov. Limburg, Kerkhoven, den Tip, arboretum, 27.viii.2020 © Carina Van Steenwinkel<

mine

mine

Larva solitary in an elongate upper-surface epidermal (thence silvery) mine. Frass initially in a rust-coloured central line. Later, when the mine starts to contract and the leaf folds over the mine, the frass is black and concentrated in a corner of the mine. At this point the larva leaves the mine, and starts living freely in a downwards rolled leaflet. In each case in Privet this has the shape of a conical pepperbox with an acute tip, and with the broad base spun to the leaf.

host plants

Oleaceae, oligophagous

Fraxinus americana, angustifolia & subsp. oxycarpa, anomala, chinensis subsp. rhynchophylla, excelsior, latifolia, nigra, ornus, pennsylvanica, quadrangulata, sogdiana; Jasminum; Ligustrum ovalifolium, vulgare; Phillyrea; Syringa vulgaris.

phenology

Although the literature tells that larvae are found between July and September (Hering, 1957a; Emmet, Watkinson & Wilson, 1985a), last authors write that the adult hibernates, and flies until May. Thia agrees well with an observation by Jorgen Ravoet, who found larvae on May 6th (2009, Belgium; picture above). In southern England the species seems double-brooded (Young, 2013a).

BENELUX

BE rare and declining (De Prins, 1998a), but perhaps the situation is reversing.

NE only a few very old records, but in 2007 mines have been found by Ben van As.

LUX not recorded (Fauna Europaea, 2008).

distribution within Europe

Entire Europe, except the Iberian Peninsula and Greece (Fauna Europaea, 2008).

larva

pupa

Prior to pupation the larva bites a circular exit hole in the pepperbox. The pupa is situated in a white cocoon in a hammock that is set between this exit hole and a point deep in the pepperbox (pictures in Parenti & Varalda, 2000a). The pupa is described by Patočka & Zach (1995a), Patočka & Turčáni (2005a).

synonyms

Coriscium cuculipennellum.

references

Baldizzone (2004a), Bengtsson & Johansson (2011a), Biesenbaum (2010a), SCS Brown (1947a), Buhr (1935b), Buszko (1992c), Corley, Marabuto & Pires (2007a), Corley, Rosete, Gonçalves ao (2016a), Drăghia (1970a), Emmet, Watkinson & Wilson (1985a), Fazekas & Schreurs (2012a), Hering (1957a), Huber (1969a), Huisman, Koster, Muus & van Nieukerken (2013a), Klimesch (1950c), Kollár & Hrubík (2009a), Kuchlein & Donner (1973a), Kuchlein & de Vos (1999a), A & Z Laštůvka (2011a, 2014a), Lhomme (1934c), Opheim (1977a), Parenti (2001a), Parenti & Varalda (2000a), Patočka & Turčáni (2005a), Patočka & Zach (1995a), De Prins (2010a), De Prins & Steeman (2011a), Robbins (1991a), Skala (1951a), Skala & Zavřel (1945a), Triberti & Braggio (2011a), Young (2013a).