Food Plant: Pulicaria dysenterica (Common Fleabane), Inula conyza (Ploughman's Spikenard)

Egg: Underside of leaf

Mine: June - July (May of the following year in some cases)

Notes: This has a biennial life cycle with the larva being fully fed by July of the second year. Further feeding may take place in the subsequent autumn or even spring of the third year. The mature case is around 15mm long with a slightly swollen middle region, being palest at the anal end (as shown). Case shown on Common fleabane.

Data: 31.viii.2014, Stainfield Wood, North Lincolnshire, VC 54

Image:© Martin Gray