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Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds - Mini Fact Sheet Edition

Malay (rose) apple leafminer (371)

Photo 1. Damage to leaf surface of Malay apple, caused by the leaf miner, Acrocercops patellata. Note, on the right side of the leaf the damage is between the veins

Photo 2. Damage to leaf surface of Malay apple, caused by the leaf miner, Acrocercops patellata.

Photo 3. Adult moth of the leafminer, Acrocercops patellata, showing distinctive colour of the forewings.

Photo 4. Pupa of the Malay apple leafminer, Acrocercops patellata.

Photo 5. Pupa of the Malay apple leafminer, Acrocercops patellata, with moth emerging.

Summary

Unknown distribution. Recorded from Papua province (Irian Jaya), Indonesia and Fiji. Only found on Malay (rose) apple.
Damage done by larvae mining the leaves, often between the veins, causing them to shrivel and die. Only a few leaves affected on any one tree.
Adults are small moths with distinctive white semicircular spots on forewings; hindwings fringed. Antennae longer than body.
Spread occurs in the wing and via the trade in plants.
Cultural control: squash larvae in tunnels between finger and thumb; removed infested leaves and burn.
Chemical control: possibly needed in nurseries. Use systemic imidacloprid, or synthetic pyrethroid.

Common Name

Malay (or rose) apple leafminer; there is no accepted common name for this leafminer blotch moth.

Scientific Name

Acrocercops patellata. It is a moth of the Gracillariidae.

AUTHORS Grahame Jackson & Mani Mua

Produced with support from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research under project HORT/2016/185: Responding to emerging pest and disease threats to horticulture in the Pacific islands, implemented by the University of Queensland and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.

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