The ecology of the alien moth and the pest controllers

The horse chestnut leaf miner moth was first described by scientists in 1986, in what is now the Republic of Macedonia, the Balkans.  Its scientific name is Cameraria ohridella. 

The tiny (5mm) alien moth is spreading throughout Europe, leaving a trail of devastated conker trees in its wake.

The first infected tree found in the UK was spotted in 2002, in Wimbledon, London.  By 2009, the moth was found in Devon.  It is so tiny that it can travel around inside people’s cars without being noticed, so it can spread very quickly.

The tiny natural pest controllers fighting back against the alien moths are wasps, but not the kind that sting.

Scientists are working on methods to control the moth and on documenting the spread of the invasion in the UK.

The horse chestnut tree is well-known and easy to identify and care for.  The traditional game of conkers may be under threat, because trees infected with the alien moth produce smaller conkers.

Follow the links to take part in mission: alien moth survey and mission: pest controllers, or register your interest in our missions.

 
A moth on a damaged leaf
(photo: Rich Andrews)


A leaf mine. Look closely to see the caterpillar that made it (photo: Richard Rogers)