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(Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera)
by
Brian Pitkin, Willem Ellis, Colin Plant and Rob Edmunds
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LYTHRUM. [Lythraceae]
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Two
species of Lythrum, Angled Purple-loosestrife (L. alatum)
and Grass-poly (L. hyssopifolia), are recorded in Britain.
Two British miners are recorded on Lythrum.
A key to the European miners recorded on Lythrum is provided in Bladmineerders van Europa.
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Key for the identification of the known mines of British
insects (Diptera and non-Diptera) recorded on Lythrum
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1a > Leaf-miner: Initially
a gallery is formed, this turning into a blotch, and later two successive
conical leaf-rolls.
Initially a pale, later brown, usually lower-surface blotch. The
blotch is preceded by an epidermal corridor, but that may be obliterated
by the later blotch. Silk at the inside of the mine causes it to
buckle up a bit and fold. The reddish brown frass is accumulated
in a corner of the mine. The older larva leaves the mine and continues
feeding inside an untidy cone, made by cutting off a strip of leaf
tissue and stitching it in place with silk. |
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On Fallopia, Lysimachia, Persicaria, Polygonum and Rumex, but not yet on Lythrum, in Britain and Chenopodium,
Lysimachia, Lythrum, Persicaria, Oxyria, Persicaria, Polygonum and Rumex elsewhere. Occurring locally in England, Scotland
and parts of Ireland. Widespread in continental Europe.
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Calybites
phasianipennella (Hübner, 1813) [Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae]. |
1b >
Leaf-miner
and case-bearer: The larva feeds on a wide range of trees, shrubs and herbs, favouring
Rosaceae, but not exclusively. The fully developed cased larva may
be found active in October and again, after winter diapause, in
April. Cases, about 6 mm, of diapausing larvae may be found through
winter, fixed to a tree or fence post. The dorsal surface of the
case is usually covered in leaf fragments, but they can sometimes
be worn off almost smooth. The ventral surface is swollen at the
middle and has a keel, which usually bends upwards at the posterior.
The cases of C. ahenella (on Rhamnus, Frangula, Viburnum and Cornus) and C.
potentillae (case less swollen, keel not bent up, resting
position less prone) are very similar.
Brownish
lobe case that lies almost flat on the leaf, either on the upper
or on the lower side. Case widest about the middle. Ventrally there
is a distinct keel. Mouth angle 0°. Full depth mines rather
large. The flaps of cuticular tissue that serve to enlarge the case
are cut out of the upper epidermis. (contrary to C.
ahenella and C.
potentillae, that use tissue from the lower epidermis).
The removal of these tissue flaps creates holes that are much larger
than those that serve as the entrance to the mine. |
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Coleophora violacea larva, lateral
Image: © Willem Ellis (Bladmineerders van Europa) |
Polyphagous. On numerous genera and species in several plant families, but
not yet on Lythrum, in Britain. On numerous genera and species in several plant families, including Lythrum elsewhere. Widespread in Britain and continental Europe.
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Coleophora
violaceae (Ström 1783) [Lepidoptera: Coleophoridae]. |
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