Food Plant: Mistletoe (Viscum album)

Egg: laid in slits in the stems, just below the terminal bud

Mine: April-July

Notes: Larvae develop in the Mistletoe stems and several larvae may inhabit a stem. The presence of larvae may be detected as the stems leak a yellow-brown viscous fluid. The terminal buds die as a result of infestation. The larvae may also occasionally mine the parenchyma of the Misteltoe leaves, forming very small blotches (contrast with C.woodiana, which forms much larger blotches and has a green larva). Pupation is in small brownish cocoons amongst the twigs of the host. Discovered in Britain in 2000 (Foster et. al (2001)) in old orchards in Herefordshire, probably being an overlooked species. Since then it has been found in old orchards in Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire.

Data: 2020, Green Street, Worcestershire, VC37

Image:© Oliver Wadsworth

References:
Briggs, J. (2011), Mistletoe (Viscum album): a brief review of its local status with recent observations on its insect associations and conservation problems. Proceedings of the Cotswold Naturalist's Field Club, XLV (II), 181-193
Foster, A.P., Morris, M.G., & Whitehead, P.F. ( 2001), Ixapion variegatum (Wenker), (Coleoptera, Apionidae) new to the British Isles, with observations on its European and conservation status. Entomologist's Monthly Magazine, 137, 95-105