Food Plant: Epilobium hirsutum (Great Hairy Willowherb)

Mine: September-May

Notes: The yellowish white larva mines in the roots and stems, fillin g the galleries with brown frass (as shown). It hibernates in the roots in winter and then mines lowwer stem leaves in the spring. It finally enters a leaf to pupate, forming a white silken cocoon in a blister mine, usually against the midrib. Found in damp situations throughout mainland Britain, with very few Irish records.

National Status: Common

Bradley No: 886

Data: 18.ix.2025, Whitson, Gwent Levels, Monmouthshire, VC35

Image:© George Tordoff