Food Plant: Ulex europaeus (Gorse); U.gallii (Western Gorse)

Mine: September - May

Pupa: within the mine

Notes: A rarely found mine. The larva feeds in the epidermis of thinner stems and causes slight blistering. In the stem the older part of the mine discolours to a dark purple/blackish or brownish colour and teh freshly mined stem is a pale green colour. In this mine a clear area can be seen at the top of the mine, with frass deposited lower down. Tends to be found on smaller more isolated bushes. Two mines side by side on Ulex europaeus on the two vertical twigs, both with purplish bruising. It is common to find high densities on favoured bushes.

Data: 17.iv.2023, Shotover Country Park, Oxfordshire, VC23

Image:© Will Langdon