Food Plant: Cyclamen spp.,Viola canina var ericatorum, Viola tricolor ssp. curtisii, Rumex acetosella, Umbilicus sp.

Mine: unknown but possibly January-April

Notes: A widespread polyphagous leaf miner, most often recorded from coastal locations. It forms branching mines, usually originating from the petiole. The frass is loose and in the middle of the gallery and usually missing in the blind side branches. The larva can change leaves. The life history is largely unknown but may resemble that of O.setiger. The mine shown is on Umbilicus - a new host plant in the UK.

Data: 21.ii.2018, Gweek, West Cornwall, VC1

Image:© George Tordoff

References:
Hering, 1957, Bestimmunstabellen der Blattminen von Europa
Morris MG, (1982). Dorset weevils (Coleoptera, Curculionoidea): additional, critical and notable species 1968-1982. – Proceedings of the Dorset natural History and archaeological Society 104: 159-164
Ostojá-Starzewski, J.C. (2002). Orthochaetes insignis (Aubé) (Curculionidae: Erirhininae) mining the leaves of cultivated Cyclamen spp. in the British Isles. The Coleopterist 11(3): 83