39.002 Blastodacna atra Apple Pith Moth Copyright Martin Evans
Distribution map Copyright Martin Evans
Life stages table Copyright Martin Evans 39.002 Blastodacna atra Apple Pith Moth Copyright Martin Evans

Parametriotidae

39.002 Apple Pith Moth Blastodacna atra (Haworth, 1828)

Notable B

Similar species:

Forewing: 5 to 6mm

Habitats: Orchards, gardens and deciduous woodland.

Habits: The moth rests on branches and twigs in the day. It flies around the foodplant at dusk and later comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva mines an apple twig at the shoot. Its presence is indicated by an extrusion of black frass on the bark and wilting or browning of the shoot. It is pink-brown, with a dark brown head that is lighter at the front and below. The divided prothoracic plate is brown with darker edges, the anal plate dark brown. It eats out a hole below a twig joint just before pupating, so that the adult will be able to emerge.