Leaf-miner: Long epidermal corridor with a well-marked central frass line. Mine
mostly lower-surface, less often upper-surface, and rarely on the
rind of the developing fruit. Pupation, as in all Phyllocnistis species, in a chamber at the end of the corridor, under an overturned
part of the leaf margin (Bladmineerders van Europa).
The
mines on leaves and a fruit are also illustrated in
and 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).
Watch the video by Ryan Perry, a student at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
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:
Comments:
Mainly on Citrus species, but also on other genera of the
same family (Rutaceae). The species seems to be native to Asia,
but is found now in all regions where Citrus species are
cultivated, and is a very serious pest there Bladmineerders van Europa. A tropical species which is not yet a British species.
Most specimens are intercepted at points of entry. It is a pest
of commercial citrus orchards (British
leafminers).
See also Sánchez et al. 2002. Life cycle of the citrus leafminer Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) on sweet orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) Entomotropica (2).
Time
of year - larvae: Throughout the year (British
leafminers).
Time
of year - adults: Currently unknown.
Distribution
in Great Britain and Ireland: Found and reared from Citrus from a garden centre in Burford, Oxfordshire by Robert Homan (British
leafminers - Newsletter 26) and Entomologist's Rec. J. Var
(124) 2012 :279-281.
Distribution
elsewhere: Widespread in continental Europe including the Azores,
Balearic Is., Canary Is., Greek mainland, Italian mainland, Madeira,
Malta, Portuguese mainland, Sardinia, Spanish mainland. Also recorded
in Afro-tropical region and Nearctic region (Fauna Europaea).
NBN Atlas links to known host species:
British and Irish Parasitoids in Britain and elsewhere:
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