Food Plant: Sea Club-rush (Bolboschoenus maritimus)

Mine: August-April

Notes: The larva form mines devoid of frass as it is ejected through a hole, made at the mine entrance, on the leaf underside. An exit hole may sometimes similarly be found under the leaf. The larvae mine upwards from the entrance hole and make a mine around 12mm long. The mines formed gradually become longer with each instar, ranging from 25mm in the second instar to 75-100 mm with the third instar. It is with this latter mine that frass accumulates at one end. The larva may leave the mine for the winter or remain within, pupating in Spring. The larva is shown. Locally common in coastal areas of Southern to Eastern counties

Data: 26.ix.2021, Arne, Dorset, VC9

Image:© Jack Oughton