Morphology and biology of the elm leaf-mining moth, Bucculatrix ulmifoliae Hering, 1931 (Lep.: Bucculatricidae) in Iran

A survey on the morphology and biology of the elm leaf-mining moth Bucculatrix ulmifoliae was conducted under natural conditions. The developmental periods of 1th �, 3th, 4th and 5th larval instars as well as pupa were calculated as 6.40±0.67, 1.76±0.12, 1.92±0.20, 3.51±0.37, 9.61±0.77 days, in a cage at field; and 6.40±0.66, 1.50±0.27, 1.78±0.47, 2.71±0.48, 7.64±0.33 days at the laboratory (25±2°C, RH 65±5 and 16L: 8D hours) respectively. The average life span of the moth was obtained as 23.04±1.02 days at the laboratory and 25.84±0.91 days at the field. Adults of the first generation appeared in early April. The fertile females laid their eggs underside of leaves near the midribs. Upon hatching, the first instar larva penetrates directly via base of the egg into the leaf tissue and creates the mine. B. ulmifoliae had three generations of which the second generation showed its tendency for oviposition. Third generation was observed from the first half of August, and overwintering started at the first half of September. The first and second instars mined the leaf and fed inside, while the other instars fed externally on the underside. Bucculatrix ulmifoliae has three generations a year and overwintering as a pupa in a cocoon in the crevices of barks and fallen leaves on the ground.