Food Plant: Erigeron acris (Blue Fleabane)

Egg: laid on a flower

Mine: September-May

Notes: The larva feeds initially on the seeds in a case which is well hidden in the pappus. The case is trivalved, blackish, 5-6mm long with pappus hairs sometimes incorporated . The larva is fully fed in October and then enters diapause. Found in dry thin grasslands, waste ground and raodside verges. Can be locally common in Southern England. Larvae feed concealed within the seedhead of Erigeron acris, giving little external indication of their presence from above. In this photo, pulling the seedhead away from the plant has revealed a case feeding at the base.

Data: 01.ix.2022, Aston Rowant NNR, Oxfordshire, VC23

Image:© Will Langdon