Psychoides filicivora (Meyrick, 1937)
fern smut
mine
Usually the larva lives free under the leaf, under an irregular mass of spun soredia and frass. The larva feeds on the sori, and larva betrays its presence as a sorus on an unusual place. Sometimes also elongate full depth blotches are made.
host plants
Aspleniaceae, Dryopteridaceae; narrowly polyphagous
Asplenium ceterach, adiantum-nigrum, scolopendrium, trichomanes; Dryopteris filix-mas; Polystichum setiferum.
phenology
Larvae are found the year round (British Leafminers, 2009).
BENELUX
Not known from the Benelux countries (Fauna Europaea, 2009).
distribution within Europe
British Isles (Pelham-Clinton, 1985a).
larva
Yellowish white; anal shield colourless, head and prothoracic shield very pale brown with somewhat darker lateral and posterior margins.
synonyms
Mnesipatris filicivora.
notes
One supposes that the species has been introduced into the British Isles from East Asia in the 19th century. This agrees with the fact that the species has no diapause, and mainly occurs in coastal regions, where very low winter temperatures are rare.
references
Aguiar & Karsholt (2006a), Gaedike & Karsholt (2001a), Hering (1957a), Pelham-Clinton (1985a), Robbins (1991a).