Gracillariidae

15.021 Mugwort Stilt Leucospilapteryx omissella (Stainton, 1848)

Notable B

Similar species:

Forewing: 3.5 to 4mm

Habitats: Breckland, wasteland and acid grassland.

Habits:

Foodplant: The larva forms a long gallery mine on the underside of a Mugwort leaf. It then spins internally inflating the mine. The upperside of the leaf becomes mottled before turning yellow and finally purple. The full fed larva is crimson. It pupates in a yellowish-brown cocoon spun in the leaf litter.