''Prays oleae'' (olive moth) is a
moth of the family
Plutellidae found in Europe.
Description
The
wingspan is .
The larvae are a pest on olives (''
Olea europaea
The olive, botanical name ''Olea europaea'', meaning 'European olive' in Latin, is a species of small tree or shrub in the family Oleaceae, found traditionally in the Mediterranean Basin. When in shrub form, it is known as ''Olea europaea'' ...
''). Other recorded food plants include ''
Phillyrea'',
jasmine
Jasmine ( taxonomic name: ''Jasminum''; , ) is a genus of shrubs and vines in the olive family (Oleaceae). It contains around 200 species native to tropical and warm temperate regions of Eurasia, Africa, and Oceania. Jasmines are widely cultiva ...
and ''
Ligustrum''. They
mine the leaves of their host plant which initially consists of an upper-surface, short, narrow corridor.
Distribution
The moth is found in
Southern Europe (the Mediterranean region) and
North Africa. It was first found in Great Britain at a
garden centre in
Surrey
Surrey () is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in South East England, bordering Greater London to the south west. Surrey has a large rural area, and several significant urban areas which form part of the Greater London Built-up Area. ...
in 2009 and has since been found at a
light trap in
Kent.
Gallery
Image:Prays_oleae_1.jpg, Leafmines by ''Prays oleae'' larvae
Image:Prays_oleae_3.jpg, Larva
Image:Prays_fraxinella_young_larva.JPG, Young larva
Image:Prays_oleae_larva.JPG, Older larva
Image:Prays oleae damage.JPG, Olive leaves mined by the young larva (2b, 2b*); olive shoot eaten by the mature larva (2b**)
References
Plutellidae
Leaf miners
Moths described in 1788
Moths of Africa
Moths of Europe
Moths of the Middle East
Lepidoptera of Namibia
Moths of Asia
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