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. An old, straggly bush of Ulex europaeuswith lax growth and thin stems, growing in the shade of some Birches (Betula sp.). Mines are generally found at far greater densities on less vigorous bushes, often growing in shade, as this species appears to prefer thinner stems. 45 mines were found on this one bush. See Langdon (2023, Ent Rec, 135:49-58 ) for more.

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

Image:© Will Langdon