Bucculatrix diffusella Menhofer, 1943

mine

At first a narrow corridor with much frass, ending upon a blotch in the tip of a leaf segment. Then the larva leaves the mine and begins to make fleck mines, working from the leaf margin. This activity gives the leaves a transparent, but quickly browning and conspicuous seam.

hostplants

Asteraceae, narrowly monophagous

Artemisia maritima.

phenology

Larvae were found from mid-July till in August, but possibly this was a second generation.

distribution within Europe

SW France.

larva

Mining larvae honey coloured yellow with a brown head and pronotum. Free living larvae yellowish olive green, pinacula somewhat lighter, head uniformly brown.

pupa

Illustrated by Menhofer; in a white, ribbed cocoon.

references

Menhofer (1943a), Hering (1957a).