Food Plants of Lime Leafminer Phyllonorycter issikii (Kumata, 1963) (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae)

Abstract

This study looks into the analysis of food plants of invasive lime leafminer Phyllonorycter issikii (Kumata, 1963) (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae). The miner develops in 12 species of the genus of Tilia, the family Malvaceae; i.e., it is a strict oligophage. In so doing, moth caterpillars damage six native species in the donor region and four native and five introduced species in the recipient region. In Europe, the miner inflicts the severest damage to small-leaved lime (T. cordata Mill.). Damage thresholds are presented for the Ph. issikii−T. cordata system. The ability of miner caterpillars to successfully develop on the leaves of American basswood (T. americana L.) makes the species potentially dangerous for lime tree plantations in North America.