Epiblema foenella (Linnaeus, 1758)
white-foot bell
on Artemisia, etc.
Artemisia vulgaris, Norway, Naeroset, Ringsake, 27.x.2025 © Ben van As: dead stem ringwise gnawn by the larva and broken off; pupation in the lower, frass-filled remnant of the stem.
Artemisia vulgaris, Ballooërveld, 21.1.2026 © Ben van As
detail
gall
the larvae tunnel in the belowground parts of the plant, from there penetrating the main stem and lower branches. The larva, white with a brown head, hibernates in its tunnel and pupates there in spring. Sometimes its activities induce a general swelling of the root crown.
host plants
Asteraceae, oligophagous
Artemisia abrotanum, absinthium, verlotiorum, vulgaris; Cota tinctoria.
phenology
Univoltine; hibernation as larva.
distribution within Europe
larva
Pictures on Lepiforum; see also Schmid, Swatschek.
pupa
See Patočka & Turčáni.
synonyms
Epiblema scopoliana (Denis & Schiffermuller, 1775).
references
Bradley, Tremewan & Smith (1979a), Buhr (1964a), Corley, Nunes & Rosete (2021a), Dauphin & Anotsbehere (1997a), Disqué (1905a), Doremi (2017a), Dvořák (2017a), Hancock & Bland (2015b), Lepiforum (2019), Patočka & Turčáni (2005a), Requena i Miret (1998a), Rösch & Schmitz (2014a), Schleich (1868a), Schmid (2019a), Schütze (1931a), Swatschek (1958a), Szőcs (1977a), Thomann (1956a), Tomasi (2014a), Wimmer (1991a).