53. Ectoedemia mahalebella (Klimesch, 1936) (new to the Crimea)

(Figs 57, 120, 121)

Host-plants. Prunus spinosa L. in the Crimea; in other countries also other species of Prunus, Amygdalus nana L. and Cerasus spp.

Distribution. Sub-Mediterranean-Mediterranean; the species occurs from France and Italy to Greece, Slovakia and Crimea.

Material examined. CRIMEA: 5♂, 3♀, 20 km SW Feodosiya, Karadag Reserve, mining larva on Prunus spinosa L., fieldwork card no. 5026, 14 –17.vii.2011, leg. A. Diškus, genitalia slide nos AN 482♂, AN 483♂, AN 484♂; 12 km E Sudak, Sonyachna Dolyna, mining larva on Prunus spinosa L., fieldwork card no. 5026, 17.vii.2011, leg. A. Diškus & A. Navickaitė; Yalta, Botanical Garden, empty leaf-mines on Prunus spinosa L., fieldwork card no. 5026, 20.vii.2011, A. Diškus & A. Navickaitė; 12 km N Alushta, Lavanda, empty leaf-mines on Prunus spinosa L., fieldwork card no. 5026, leg. J. R. Stonis, A. Navickaitė & G. Varačinskas.

Remarks. The species is not rare in the Crimea: limited in distribution but abundant. Previously it was confused with E. spinosella (Joannis), see Discussion.