The larvae of Aphanisticus bore in the stems, and mine in the leaves, of Juncus and Carex. Habroloma en Trachys mine in a few species of herbs and trees. The mines are unmistakable because the females cover the oviposition site with a drop of black secretion. This dries to a solid semi-globule, brightly shining in Aphanisticus and Trachys, matt in Habroloma (Hering, 1926a; Brechtel & Kostenbader, 2002a). The larvae of the latter two genera are flattened, and all segments have a lobelike lateral extension; the outline of the widens gradually from the rear to the prothorax. In Habroloma the prosternum and pronotum bear a large, black shield; Trachys has similar shields ventrally and laterally on all segments.
The larvae are described by Bily (1994a) and in the splendid book by Brechtel & Kostenbader (2002a), that also extensively discusses the biology and distribution.
references
Bily (1994a), Hering (1926a), Brechtel & Kostenbader (2002a).