This Blog covers nature sightings and related news in the Calderdale area.
It includes all groups - Plants, animals and fungi with links to specialist sites.
Anyone wishing to become a member of this Blog and post sightings please contact us.
If you would like to join the Halifax Scientific Society either email me or come along to the next meeting.
All welcome:
calderdalewildlifeblog@gmail.com
Please contact us about any sensitive records before posting on the blog

Friday 15 June 2018

Beech Leaf Miner

I am noticing many Beech trees that look to have brown leaves from a distance. On closer inspection parts of the leaves look to have been eaten out by a leaf miner and the remaining healthy tissue has many holes.

It isn't just confined to young saplings but old Beech are badly affected as well. It could be the result of the Beech Leaf Miner--Orchestes fagi. I can't say I have noticed this much damage to the leaves in previous years.

Less Chlorophyll will mean less photosynthesis and progressively weaken the tree. In combination with this lengthy dry spell and Beech having a shallow root system, it is not looking good.

Is this type of leaf damage noticeable throughout the valley or is it just Todmorden? Can anyone confirm this weevil is the culprit?









5 comments:

  1. No idea the reason behind this disease Philip. There are lots of beech tress in Hardcastle Crags affected by it, both young and old trees.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yes I've noticed this as new in Hardcastle Crags. The oaks do all right after being made into lace by caterpillars, which happens some but not all years. They just put out a fresh crop of leaves later. They're adapted to it. Beech may not be, but then beech are not so good ecologically.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks David and Steve for your observations. Beech may not be too good ecologically when alive but it is one of the best for decay organisms, including fungi and beetles. That is why it such a mistake to fell old Beech, better to leave as standing dead wood (bearing in mind any safety concerns). There is a bit of a local hurry to get rid of the old Beech, yet the Beech saplings are allowed to romp away unchecked. Very odd and wrong thinking.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Philip,
    You are correct with your mine ID - moth larvae don't start mining until a month or so later. There is an initial gallery leading to a blotch. They are also present in pest proportions here in Halifax, never seen so many.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Charlie,
    Thanks for confirming ID. I have googled to see if this problem of leaf miners is occurring in other parts of the country but found no reference.

    ReplyDelete