Parafomoria cistivora (de Peyerimhoff, 1871)

mine

Oviposition at the leaf upper side. Rather long, often contorted, narrow corridor that hardly widens towards the end. Frass in an interrupted central line that never occupies over 1/3 of the corridor width. Pupation outside the mine.

host plants

Cistaceae, monophagous

Cistus albidus, ladanifer, laurifolius, monspeliensis, populifolius (?), salviifolius.

phenology

Autumn and winter period; the larvae aestivate in their cocoon (van Nieukerken ao, 2006a).

BENELUX

Not known from the Benelux countries (Fauna Europaea, 2009).

distribution within Europe

Western Mediterranean Region (van Nieukerken, 1983b)

larva

Yellowish, lying venter upwards in the mine. Meso- and metathorax with 9 pairs of setae.

notes

Confused with P. peudocistivora before 1983. One of the differences is in the shape of the ovipositor: long and acute in pseudocistivora, short and blunt in cistivora. Probably these are adaptations to oviposition on plants with hairy and hairless leaves, respectively.

references

Amsel & Hering (1931a, 1933a), Buhr (1930a), Hering (1932e, 1936b, 1957a, 1967a), Laštuvka & Laštuvka (1997a, 2005b), Nel (2002a, van Nieukerken (1983b, 1985b, 1986a), van Nieukerken, A & Z Laštuvka (2004a, 2006a), Skala (1939a).