Rhopobota stagnana (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775)

downland bell

mine

The larvae of the first generation live in the flowers heads, feeding on the developing fruits; they may also bore into the peduncle. The larvae of the second generation start by making a full depth, transparent, irregular gallery or blotch. Frass sometime missing altogether, but sometimes in local concentrations, mostly near the start of the mine. The older larva leaves the mine and then lives between two spun leaves or in a silken tube below a leaf.

host plants

Caprifoliaceae, monophagous

Scabiosa columbaria; Succisa pratenis.

BENELUX

known from all three Benelux countries (PESI, 2017)

distribution within Europe

all Europe, with exception of the Balkan peninsula (PESI, 2017).

synonyms

Griselda, Steganoptycha, fractifasciana (Haworth, 1811).

references

Bradley, Tremewan & Smith (1979a), Disqué (1905a), Hancock & Bland (2015b), De Prins, (1998a), Swatschek (1958a), Szőcs (1977a).