Parasitism of Phyllonorycter propinquinella (Braun), (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), a leafminer of black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrhart)

Leafminers cause damage to leaves by consuming the mesophyll. Severe infestations cause premature leaf fall, reduction in terminal growth, small fruit size reduced fruit set the following year, and premature ripening and fruit drop. Leafminers have natural enemies, hymenopteran parasitoids, which act as biological control agents. Two common Phyllonorycter spp., the Apple Blotch Leafminer, P. crataegella and P. propinquinella, a leafminer monophagous on wild black cherry, have a similar parasitoid complex. The parasitoids of P. propinquinella could prove valuable to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs in Northeastern North America. Parasitism of these two leafminers was investigated over six generations (two years) at six sites in Connecticut. Phyllonorycter propinquinella was sampled at roadside sites and in commercial orchards, and P. crataegella was collected in commerical orchards. This work demonstrates the need for more studies on these important parasitoids.