Food Plant: Rubus idaeus (Raspberry)

Mine: early autumn

Notes: Found on wild and cultivated raspberry, preferring shaded situations. The mine of Metallus pumilus is similar but the larva of this species has three ventral spots, whereas M.albipes has two (as shown- middle photo). The legs are ringed. The prothoracic plate is dark in colour (as shown on the top photo). The anal ring (bottom photo) is relatively smooth, with few denticulations
The initial mine is usually in the form of a gallery, which expands to form a blotch

Data: 15ix.2005, Fleet, Hants, VC12

Image:© Rob Edmunds