Parornix geminatella
(Packard, 1869)
Sort #: 252 | P3 #: 330199 | MPG #: 673
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Larval feeding type: Forms a tentiform mine on the underside (occasionally upperside), then vacates to pupate in a reddish silken cocoon
Larval substrate: Prunus serotina* (Black Cherry)
Phenology: Adult: 7/07 to 9/14 (4 records)
Comment: Described by Packard from larvae found hanging from apple and pear trees and adults which flew indoors attracted to light. However, his description of the mines and larvae he found on the trees clearly show that they do not belong to the Parornix he described. Chambers described his Ornix prunivorella from adults reared from tentiform mines on wild cherry and apple (presumably mainly cherry, hence the name). Dietz accepted prunivorella as the species feeding on wild cherry, and placed geminatella only tentatively as a synonym due to the confusion of Packard's original description. However, recent examination of the type of geminatella shows it to be the species we know from wild cherry. Apple as a hostplant needs confirmation.
Status in MA (automated assessment): Fairly widespread, common
Status in N. America: Native
MA Endangered Species Act status: None
First Year Reported: 2006
Last Year Reported: 2020
Distribution by County: Worcester, Middlesex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Plymouth, Barnstable, Nantucket
Number of Records: 33
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Adult reared from Prunus serotina (Photo: ©S. Whitebread) -
Adult male reared from Prunus serotina (Photo: ©S. Whitebread) -
Adult male reared from Prunus serotina (Photo: ©S. Whitebread) -
Adult female reared from upperside mine on Prunus serotina (Photo: ©S. Whitebread) -
Larva in mine on Prunus serotina (Photo: ©S. Whitebread) -
Larva on Prunus serotina shortly before pupation (Photo: ©S. Whitebread) -
Tenanted mine on Prunus serotina (Photo: ©S. Whitebread) -
Tenanted mine on Prunus serotina viewed from upperside (Photo: ©S. Whitebread) -
Rare upperside mines on Prunus serotina (Photo: ©S. Whitebread) -
Larva constructing coccon. Note initial band of silk, spun to start bending over the leaf edge (Photo: ©S. Whitebread) -
Pupal cocoon spun at edge of leaf. In this species it is always reddish (Photo: ©S. Whitebread)