Leaf-miner
and case-bearer:
The young larva eats the receptacle out of a floret of Acinos
arvensis, and uses the calyce as its first case. Even before
the onset of winter it switches to grasses. The larva then lives
in an ochraceous, bivalved, tubular leaf case of c. 9 mm, with a
mouth angle of c. 25° (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).
The young larva eats the receptacle out of a floret of Acinos
arvensis, and uses the calyce as its first case. Even before
the onset of winter it switches to grasses. The larva then lives
in an ochraceous, bivalved, tubular leaf case of c. 9 mm, with a
mouth angle of c. 25° (Bladmineerders van Europa). The case is illustrated in British Leafminers.
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:
Unknown Poaceae. 'No grass species mentioned specifically' (Bladmineerders van Europa).
Time
of year - larvae: Currently unknown.
Time
of year - adults: Currently unknown.
Distribution
in Great Britain and Ireland: Britain including West Norfolk and West Suffolk (NBN
Atlas).
Distribution
elsewhere: Currently unknown outside Britain (Fauna Europaea).
NBN Atlas links to known host species:
British and Irish Parasitoids in Britain and elsewhere: Currently unknown.
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