Robinia pseudoacacia, Bulgaria, Varna © Stéphane Claerebout: completed mines

the egg and the lower-surface initial mine

initial mine, lighted from behind

Robinia pseudoacacia, France, dépt. Tarn, Cambounès © Steve Wullaert & Zoe Vanstraelen

larva in the mine; differences in shade show the overlapping of an under-surface mine and an upper-surface one

youth mine

lighted from behind

mine

Oviposition at the underside of the leaf, in an axil of the midrib. The larve starts by making a lower-surface blotch, but then works itself to the leave’s upper surface and makes an upper-surface blotch on top of the midrib. The blotch is elongate with lobe-like extensions, and whitish in colour. Larva solitary. Pupation external.

host plants

Fabaceae, monophagous

Robinia pseudoacacia.

BENELUX

BE recorded (Bagnée, 2014a).

NE Recorded at several localities in 2018.

LUX not recorded (Fauna Europaea, 2010).

distribution within Europe

From Germany and Poland to the Pyrenees, Italy, and Romania, and from France to the Ukraine (Fauna Europaea, 2010).

larva

Greenish.

pupa

Described by Patočka & Turčáni (2005a).

parasitoids, predators

Closterocerus trifasciatus; Minotetrastichus frontalis.

notes

North American species, that made its appearance in Europe in 1970 near Milano. Now widely distributed in south and central Europe, seemingly expanding towards the NW. Considered a pest in southern Europe because Acacia is an important nectar source for commercial apiculture.

references

Albu & Albu (2018a), Arbeitsgemeinschaft Microlepidoptera in Bayern (2010a), Baugnée (2014a), Béguinot (2010a), Buszko & Beshkov (2004a), Csóka (2001a, 2003a), Embacher, Kurz, Kurz & Gros (2011a), Fazekas (2012b), Graf, Kaiser, Leutsch ao (2013a), Hellrigl (2006a), Huemer & Erlebach (2003a), Huemer ao (1992a), Ivinskis & Rimsaite (2008a), Jaworski (2009a), Kirichenko, Augustin & Kenis (2018a), Kollár (2007a), Kollár & Hrubík (2009a), Kurz & Kurz (2007a), Lakatos ao (2005a), Maček (1999a), Martinez & Chambon (1987a), Matošević, Pernek, Dubravac & Barić (2009a), Melika ao (2006a), Olivella (2005a), Parenti & Varalda (2000a), Patočka & Turčáni (2005a), Sauer (1981a), Sefrová (2005a), Segerer, Haslberger, Grünewald ao (2013a), Stammer (2016a), Steeman & Sierens (2019a), Stolnicu (2007a), Szőcs (1977a), Tomov & Krusteva (2007a), Ureche (2006a, 2010a), Walczak (2011a).