Leaf-miner
and case-bearer: The full grown larva lives in a dull black pistol case of c 9 mm
that, with a mouth angle of 80-90° stands erect on the leaf.
Characteristic is the presence of some ear-like flaps. At least
after the hibernation the larvae do not mine any more, but rather
cause skeleton feeding (Bladmineerders van Europa).
Initially mines the leaf and then after the winter it feeds by skeletonizing the leaves, or making holes in the leaf. The final case is 9mm long, black and pistol shaped. It has dorso-lateral flaps and the case stands erect with the oral opening at 80-90°. An uncommon species found in woodland containing Oak and Hornbeam. This case was feeding on Hornbeam (British Leafminers).
Larva: The larvae of moths have a head capsule and chewing mouthparts with opposable mandibles (see video of a gracillarid larva feeding), six thoracic legs and abdominal legs (see examples).
Pupa: The pupae of moths have visible head appendages, wings and legs which lie in sheaths (see examples).
Adult:
The adult is not illustrated in UKMoths (check for update). The species is included in mothdissection.co.uk.
Hosts in Great Britain and Ireland:
Hosts
elsewhere:
Time
of year - larvae: June (Emmet et al., 1996a).
Time
of year - adults: Currently unknown.
Distribution
in Great Britain and Ireland: Britain including Cheshire,
Denbighshire, East Kent, East Norfolk, East Suffolk, Hertfordshire, Isle of Wight, Middlesex, North Essex, North Somerset,
Shropshire, South Essex, Stafford, West Kent and West Norfolk (NBN
Atlas).
Distribution
elsewhere: Widespread in continental Europe including Austria,
Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Danish mainland, Estonia, French
mainland, Germany, Greek mainland, Hungary, Italian mainland, Latvia,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Norwegian mainland, Poland, Romania,
Russia - Central, North and South, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland
and The Netherlands. Also East Palaearctic and Near East (Fauna Europaea).
NBN Atlas links to known host species:
British and Irish Parasitoids in Britain and elsewhere:
|