Digitivalva arnicella (von Heyden, 1863)

on Arnica

Arnica montana, Tynaarlo © Ben van As

another specimen

Arnica montana, Borger; leg Gerard Oostermeijer & Sheila Luijten

mine

At first a light green, narrow, sometimes branching corridor, widening considerably later. Frass in an irregular, rather broad central line. The larva frequently moves to another leaf. Pupation in a separate, lower-surface mine.

hostplants

Asteraceae, monophagous

Arnica montana.

phenology

Larvae from autumn till May (Hering, 1957a).

BENELUX

BE recorded (Phegea, 2009).

NE recorded (Kuchlein & de Vos, 1999a; Microlepidoptera.nl, 2009).

LUX not recorded (Fauna Europaea, 2009).

distribution within Europe

From Scandinavia to the Pyrenees and Italy, and from France to the Baltic States and Romania (Fauna Europaea, 2009).

larva

pupa

Described by Patočka & Turčáni (2005a). See van Nieukerken & Koster (1999a) for a picture.

synonyms

Acrolepia arnicella.

notes

In the Netherlands a strongly declining species.

juvenile mines?

Regis Nossent found in België a single leaf of A. montana with three tiny vacated mines. Many points suggest that it are juveniles mines of D. arnicella, but they differ strongly from the fully developed mines of that species. This requires further study.

Arnica montana, Belgium, prov. Liege, Elsenborn, 17.vi.2018 © Regis Nossent: leaf with three vacated mines

one of the three mines

another of the three

references

Bengtsson & Johansson (2011a), Buhr (1964a), Corley, Merckx, Cardoso ao (2012a), Gaedike (1972a), Hering (1931a, 1957a, 1963a), Huber (1969a), Huemer (1986b), Klimesch (1958a), Kuchlein & Donner (1993a), Kuchlein & de Vos (1999a), van Nieukerken & Koster (1999a), Patočka & Turčáni (2005a), Sønderup (1949a), Szőcs (1977a), Wegner (2010a).