Food Plant: Helleborus (Hellebore) species - seems to found on Helleborus foetidus (Stinking hellebore) in the UK. Recorded also on H.niger in Holland.

Mine: Summer to Spring

Pupa: In the leaf - normally on the lower surface

Notes: May be several mines to a leaf, which are initially blackish, short and linear. A blotch is later formed. First found in this country in 2000 and is distributed in Southern Counties and East Anglia. Bivoltine, possibly trivoltine. The spircales of the pupa protrude through the leaf surface (as shown)

Data: 02.iv.2006, Winchfield, Hants, VC12

Image:© Rob Edmunds