Key for the identification of the known mines of British
insects (Diptera and non-Diptera) recorded on Erica
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1a > Leaf-miner
and case-bearer: The larva lives outside the mine, protected by a case, and feeds on the underlying plant tissues via a hole cut in the epidermis. From that point it eats away as much leaf tissue as it can reach without fully entering the mine. Mine does not contain frass (Coleophora species).
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. |
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On Calluna and Erica in Britain and elsewhere. Most
parts of Britain. Also recorded in the Republic of Ireland. Widespread
in continental Europe.
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Coleophora
juncicolella Stainton, 1851 [Lepidoptera: Coleophoridae]. |
1b > Leaf-miner
and case-bearer: 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) |
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.
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Coleophora
pyrrhulipennella Zeller, 1839 [Lepidoptera: Coleophoridae]. |
1c > Leaf-miner: Only the very youngest larvae make mines, and it is not well known
how these look like: probably small full depth mines. The older
larva make a tunnel of silk on a twig, mixed with frass and leaf
fragments, and feeds from there on the leaves.. |
On Erica cinerea in Britain and elsewhere. Widespread in
Britain and continental Europe. Also recorded in the Republic
of Ireland.
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Xenolechia
aethiops (Humphreys & Westwood, 1845) [Lepidoptera:
Gelechiidae]. |