Pest status of leafminers in cider-apples: The case of orchards in Asturias (NW Spain)

► Six microlepidopterous leafminer species were identified attacking apple trees. ► Leafminer occurrence was similar among orchards, although year-to-year oscillations were recorded. ► Based on the low densities observed, leafminers could not be considered as a key pest in our apple orchards. ► Taylor's coefficient b was indicative of aggregated distributions of both infested leaves and mines within the orchard. ► Enumerative and binomial sampling plans for apple leafminers were developed.