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).