Leaf-miner
and case-bearer: The larva builds a case from leaf fragments,
adding sections as it grows, creating a long narrow and distinctive
case (UKMoths).
A
large, composite leaf case of 10-15 mm length, the fully developed
case consisting the three succesive leaf fragments. Case light brown,
bivalved; mouth angle c. 45° (Bladmineerders van Europa).
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).
Described by Suire (1961a) (Bladmineerders van Europa).
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: September to May (UKMoths).
Time
of year - adults: The adults fly in July and August (UKMoths).
Distribution
in Great Britain and Ireland: Locally distributed mainly in
the southern counties of England and Wales (UKMoths)
including Dorset, East Kent, Glamorgan, Isle of Wight and West Gloucestershire (NBN
Atlas).
It
occupies dry calcareous habitats, where the larval foodplant, common
rock-rose grows, preferring plants that overhang ledges (UKMoths).
Distribution elsewhere: Widespread in continental Europe including Austria, Belgium,
Crete, Croatia, Czech Republic, French mainland, Germany, Hungary,
Italian mainland, Macedonia, Poland, Portuguese mainland, Romania,
Russia - South, Slovakia, Spanish mainland, Sweden, Switzerland
and The Netherlands (Fauna Europaea).
NBN Atlas links to known host species:
British and Irish Parasitoids in Britain and elsewhere:
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