Orchestes hortorum

Alternative names
Orchestes signifer
Orchestes avellanae
Description

The larvae mine the leaves of Oak creating a gallery along the edge of the leaf leading to a circular blotch, from which a case is cut leaving a round hole.  The adult weevil is black with white markings. Mines are commonly found in English Oak, but can also be found in Turkey Oak and Holm Oak

Identification difficulty

Adult Leafmine

Recording advice

Adult and Leafmine: Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required. If the photo doesn't show the key ID features then in the comments box describe the size and identifying characters you have observed.

Habitat

Areas where Oak is plentiful.

When to see it

Leafmines may occur once Oak is in leaf in early summer. Adults from April to early September.

UK Status

Widespread in the southern half of Britain become scarcer further north.

VC55 Status

Occasional in Leicestershire and Rutland although it may be under recorded.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species profile

Species group:
Beetles
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Coleoptera
Family:
Curculionidae
Records on NatureSpot:
17
First record:
03/08/2019 (Timms, Sue)
Last record:
10/07/2024 (Calow, Graham)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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