Food Plant: Trifolium pratense (Red Clover), Melilotus altissima (Ribbed Melilot), Medicago (Medick)

Mine: Bivoltine: summer & early autumn

Pupa: Outside the mine

Notes: A short, broad gallery leading to a conspicuous, roundish white blotch in the centre of the leaf. The blotch is upper surface with full depth spots - comprising of large clumps of frass (as shown). The plump, yellowish larva in its resting position on top of the midrib (as shown) is very characteristic. For some reason they lie there waiting for some days before vacating the mine in order to pupate. Common and widely distributed. England, Scotland, Ireland.

Data: 06.x.2010, Eynesbury, Huntingdonshire, VC 31

Image:© Barry Dickerson