The leaf and stem mines of British flies and other insects
 

(Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera)

by Brian Pitkin, Willem Ellis, Colin Plant and Rob Edmunds

 

CALLUNA. Heather. [Ericaceae]


Only one species of Calluna is recorded in Britain, the native Heather (C. vulgaris).

Two British miners are recorded on Calluna.

A key to the European miners recorded on Calluna is provided in Bladmineerders van Europa.

Heather - Calluna vulgaris. Image: © Brian Pitkin
Heather
Calluna vulgaris


Key for the identification of the known mines of British
insects (Diptera and non-Diptera) recorded on Calluna


1a > Leaf-miner: The fully developed 4 mm to 5 mm case is made of seven to ten mined heather leaves arranged in a neat herring-bone pattern. The cases closely resemble sprigs of heather and are best found by placing swept debris in a box, where the larvae will reveal themselves by climbing the sides. Very small (c. 4 mm) light brown lobe case with a mouth angle of about 40°. The case is composed of 8-10 small leaf fragments, placed in herringbone manner, giving the case the appearance of a small browned ling branchlet.

On Calluna and Erica in Britain and elsewhere. Most parts of Britain. Also recorded in the Republic of Ireland. Widespread in continental Europe.

Coleophora juncicolella Stainton, 1851 [Lepidoptera: Coleophoridae].

1b > Leaf-miner: The larva forms a distinctive black case from silk, from which it feeds on the foliage or flowers of heather or bell heather. The larval case reaches around 9 mm in length when fully fed.

Case of Coleophora pyrrhulipennella Image: © Martin Honey (British leafminers)
Case of Coleophora pyrrhulipennella
Image: © Martin Honey (British leafminers)

On Calluna and Erica in Britain and elsewhere. A fairly common species throughout much of mainland Britain. Also occurs sparsely in Ireland. Widespread in continental Europe.

Coleophora pyrrhulipennella Zeller, 1839 [Lepidoptera: Coleophoridae].



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