Orchard Network

The mistletoe marble moth (Celypha woodiana) another UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species is predominantly, although not exclusively, found in orchards where mistletoe flourishes on apple trees.

The moth is beautifully marbled with grey, faun and cobalt blue, mimicking a bird dropping. Eggs are laid on mistletoe leaves in July and August. The caterpillars of the moth mine the leaves of succulent mistletoe, over wintering in a small crescent shaped mine. In early spring it resumes feeding and continues to hollow out the leaf. By May, a conspicuous inflated blister forms on the leaf, and this is the best time to survey for the moth. After exiting the mine in June, the larva creates a loosely spun cocoon under bark or lichen growing on the host tree, where it pupates and emerges as the adult moth.

Habitat management

Major infestations of mistletoe in neglected orchards will accelerate the demise of host trees, and so careful management of the plant is required. The overall aim is to ensure the continued presence from year to year of healthy mistletoe bearing trees in orchards. Any harvesting of mistletoe should be done in a sustainable way by retaining some of the female berry-bearing plants as well as the male plants.

Downloads:

Mistletoe Marble Fact sheet (PDF)

National Links

www.butterfly-conservation.org–lead partner for the Mistletoe Marble BAP

www.mistletoe.org.uk– An introduction to mistletoe, full of facts and information

www.mothscount.org– Record your Mistletoe Marble Moth sightings here

Local Links:

 www.somersetmothgroup.org.uk– Local group of moth recorders

 Image: Butterfly Conservation