Food Plant: Betula (Birch)

Mine: Summer and Autumn

Pupa: outside the mine

Notes: Formerly Messa nana. The mine starts at the tip of a vein at the leaf edge and a plug of frass is left at the start of the mine (as shown in the developing mine). The larva is intially green and then turns a dark yellow colour towards maturityThe larva is intially green and then turns a dark yellow colour towards maturity. The dorsal viewof the larva (top hoto) shows a large dark plate on the pronotum. The ventral view shows a large dark prosternal plate with smaller meso- and metasternal spots. The anal ring is dark in colour.

Data: 07.vi.2005, Fleet, Hants, VC12

Image:© Rob Edmunds