Gracillariidae

15.093 Kent Maze-miner Phyllocnistis xenia Hering, 1936

Notable B

Similar species:

Forewing: 3 to 3.5mm

Habitats: Woodland margins, plantations and parkland.

Habits:

Foodplant: The larva is found in a leaf of Grey Poplar or White Poplar. It mines a very long, broad gallery with a central line of frass that densely loops over the upper surface of a leaf (occasionally the lower surface) without ever crossing itself. It is often found on the suckers or saplings. The mine widens slightly at the leaf margin where it ends causing the margin to fold over the silk membrane under which pupation takes place.