Centaurea [Asteraceae] in Leaf and stem mines of British flies and other insects

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

CENTAUREA. Knapweeds, Star-thistles and Cornflowers. [Asteraceae]

Forty species of Centaurea are recorded in Britain. These include the native Common Knapweed (C. nigra), Greater Knapweed (C. scabiosa) and Slender Knapweed (C. debeauxii) and introduced Knapweeds, Star-thistles and Cornflowers.

Twenty-two or twenty-three British miners are recorded on Centaurea.

Elsewhere the tephritid Philophylla caesio is recorded as a miner in the petioles of Urtica sp. by Ferrar (1987), Beiger (1968) and White (1988), although there are unconfirmed records on Caprifoliaceae and Asteraceae, which seems an odd combination of hosts.

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

Common Knapweed
Centaurea nigra

Key for the identification of the known mines of British
Diptera recorded on Centaurea

Note: Diptera larvae may live in a corridor mine, a corridor-blotch mine, or a blotch mine, but never in a case, a rolled or folded leaf, a tentiform mine or sandwiched between two more or less circular leaf sections in later instars. Pupation never in a cocoon. All mining Diptera larvae are leg-less maggots without a head capsule (see examples). They never have thoracic or abdominal legs. They do not have chewing mouthparts, although they do have a characteristic cephalo-pharyngeal skeleton (see examples), usually visible internally through the body wall. The larvae lie on their sides within the mine and use their pick-like mouthparts to feed on plant tissue. In some corridor miners frass may lie in two rows on alternate sides of the mine. In order to vacate the mine the fully grown larva cuts an exit slit, which is usually semi-circular (see Liriomyza huidobrensis video). The pupa is formed within the hardened last larval skin or puparium and as a result sheaths enclosing head appendages, wings and legs are not visible externally (see examples).

See Key to non-Diptera.

1a >Stem-miner: A narrow, inconspicuous stem mine. Pupation at the end of the mine (Spencer, 1976: 64).

Fine, upper- or lower-surface corridor, ending in a thick vein. From there the mine extends finally to the rind of the stem. There also the pupation takes place, usually not far from the root collar. Mines in the stem rind often are conspicuous through a red discoloration.

On Achillea, Achillea millefolium and possibly Anthemis, Matricaria and Medicago sativa, but not yet on Centaurea, in Britain. In Britain widespread in south, not uncommon. On Anthemis, Achillea, Artemisia, Aster, Centaurea, Clinopodium, Crepis, Hieracium, Matricaria, Reichardia, Solidago, Tanacetum, Tripleurospermum, Medicago, Satureja and Stachys elsewhere. Widespread in continental Europe.

Ophiomyia curvipalpis (Zetterstedt, 1848) [Diptera: Agromyzidae].

1b > Leaf miner

2a > Leaf-miner: Mine primarily associated with mid-rib.

2b > Leaf-miner: Mine not primarily associated with mid-rib.

3a > Leaf-miner: A distinctive mine primarily above mid-rib, with irregular short lateral offshoots into leaf blade. Pupation external (Spencer, 1972: 51 (fig. 172), 55; Spencer, 1976: 270, 271 (fig. 486)).

Branched, whitish, upper-surface corridor; main axis overlying the midrib; side branches overlying the main lateral veins. (In Campanula and Phyteuma the mine is much less branched, sometimes nothing more than a corridor on top of the midrib). Frass in rather long strings. Usually the mines begins as a long and narrow, shallow, tortuous lower-surface corridor that ends upon the midrib but otherwise is not associated with the leaf venation. Often this initial corridor is filled with callus, and then even less conspicuous. Pupation outside the mine.

A linear mine on the upper surface, usually following the midrib and showing side branches along the veins. The frass is in strings.

Liriomyza strigata larva, lateral
Image: © Willem Ellis (Bladmineerders van Europa)

Polyphagous. On more than 40 host genera in 15 families, including Achillea, in Britain and elsewhere. Widespread throughout Britain. Also recorded in the Republic of Ireland. Widespread in continental Europe.

Liriomyza strigata (Meigen, 1830) [Diptera: Agromyzidae].

4b > Leaf-miner: Mine linear, but not primarily above the midrib.

5a > Leaf-miner: Mine linear, frequently adjoining mid-rib (Spencer, 1972b: 73).

Upper-surface corridor; the start may be lower-surface. Pupation outside the mine.

Only on Achillea ptarmica in Britain and elsewhere. Widespread in Britain. Also occurs in west and central Europe.

Phytomyza corvimontana Hering, 1930 [Diptera: Agromyzidae].

5b > Leaf-miner: Mine linear, whitish, both upper and lower surface. Pupation internal, at the end of the mine with the anterior spiracles projecting through the epidermis (Spencer, 1976: 433).

Upper-surface, less often lower-surface corridor. Frass in isolated grains. Pupation within the mine, usually in a lower-surface puparial chamber.

A long whitish upper surface corridor, which eventually goes lower surface.

Two highly polyphagous species of Chromatomyia, with indistinguishable mines, have been recorded in Britain. These are syngenesiae (Hardy) and horticola (Goureau) which can only be distinguished by the male genitalia. Both species are widespread in Britain and elsewhere, although syngenesiae is almost entirely restricted to Asteraceae. Records on Asteraceae not based on examination of male genitalia are treated in this account as Chromatomyia 'atricornis'.

Chromatomyia 'atricornis' has been recorded on Achillea in Britain.

Chromatomyia syngenesiae and Chromatomyia horticola are recorded on Achillea elsewhere but not yet on Achillea in Britain.

Chromatomyia horticola (Goureau, 1851) [Diptera: Agromyzidae]
OR
Chromatomyia syngenesiae Hardy, 1849 [Diptera: Agromyzidae].

5c > Leaf-miner: A narrow linear mine commencing on lower surface (Spencer, 1972b: 57; Spencer, 1976: 264).

Narrow brownish corridor, either upper- or lower-surface. Frass in strings or pearl chains. Pupation outside the mine. In small leaves the mine can be full-depth and occupy the entire leaf. At least in Achillea millefolium mines are generally found in the top half of the leaf.

On Achillea ptarmica and Achillea millefolium in Britain and elsewhere and other species of Achillea elsewhere. Probably widespread in Britain, at least in south. Widespread in continental Europe and also recorded from Canada.

Liriomyza ptarmicae Meijere, 1925 [Diptera: Agromyzidae].

5d > Leaf-miner: A narrow linear mine, even in the finest subdivisions of the leaves (Spencer, 1972b: 77, as matricariae ; Spencer, 1976: 478).

Very fine corridor, upper- or lower-surface, even in the narrowest leaf segments. The corridor may be up to 14 cm long (Sehgal, 1971a). Generally the corridor descends towards the leaf base. Frass in pearl chains of loose grains, hardly in strings. Pupation outside the mine. Very fine corridor, upper- or lower-surface, even in the narrowest leaf segments. The corridor may be up to 14 cm long (Sehgal, 1971a). Generally the corridor descends towards the leaf base. Frass in pearl chains of loose grains, hardly in strings. Pupation outside the mine.

On Achillea millefolium, Anacyclus pyrethrum, Anthemis, Tanacetum vulgare, Tripleurospermum, Tripleurospermum maritimum and Tripleurospermum maritimum x inodora in Britain and other Asteraceae elsewhere. Widespread in Britain and continental Europe. Also recorded in Canada.

Phytomyza pullula Zetterstedt, 1848 [Diptera: Agromyzidae].

5e > Leaf-miner: A linear mine, frequently on lower surface at beginning; frass with closely adjoining grains.

Upper-surface, often brownish, corridor, in the end often occupying the width of a leaf segment. Older segments of the mine are much less conspicuous, lower-surface and quite shallow. Where upper- and lower-surface stretches overlap transparent patches occur, when the leaf is illuminated from behind. Frass in isolated grains, sometimes locally pearl chains. Pupation outside the mine.

On Tanacetum, but not yet on Achillea, in Britain; recorded on Achillea, Leucanthemum, Pyrethrum and Tanacetum elsewhere. Probably widespread in England. Also recorded in the Republic of Ireland: Co. Clare (the Burren) (Spencer, 1972: 79). Widespread in continental Europe

Phytomyza tanaceti Hendel, 1923 [Diptera: Agromyzidae].

4f > Leaf-miner: The mine begins as a long, quite narrow corridor, usually not far from the tip of a leaf segment. Usually this corridor follows the leaf margin for some distance, but it may also run freely through the blade and may then be stongly contorted. In the end the corridor is directed towards the midrib, where an elongated blotch is formed, overlying the midrib and some of the larger lateral veins. Frass in a nearly continuous line in the initial corridor, in scattered lumps in the later part of the mine. Primary and secondary feeding lines very conspicuous when seen in transparancy. Pupation outside the mine.

The mine starts as a very narrow corridor, usually close to the tip of a leaf segment and following the leaf margin. The later section of the corridor approaches the main vein, where an elongated blotch is made with long broad finger like extensions that lay over the secondary veins. In the initial corridor the frass forms an almost continuous line, in the blotch it is distributed in large scattered lumps. In fresh mines the secondary feeding lines are clearly visible.

On numerous genera of Asteraceae, including Achillea, in Britain, Throughout the British Isles, more common in the south than the north. Also continental Europe.

Trypeta zoe Meigen, 1826 [Diptera: Tephritidae].

Polyphagous. On more than 40 host genera in 15 families in Britain including Centaurea. Widespread throughout Britain. Also recorded in the Republic of Ireland. Widespread in continental Europe.

Liriomyza strigata (Meigen, 1830) [Diptera: Agromyzidae].

3b > Leaf-miner: Larva feeds along the mid-rib, predominantly on the lower surface and there is little evidence of gall-like swelling. Pupation takes place at the base of the midrib (Spencer, 1976: 496).

On Carduus and Centaurea in Britain. On Arctium, Carduus, Cichorium and Cirsium elsewhere. Widespread in Britain and continental Europe.

Phytomyza continua Hendel, 1920 [Diptera: Agromyzidae].

3c > Leaf-miner: A long, whitish linear-blotch mine, frequently associated with the mid-rib (Spencer, 1976: 321 (fig. 583), 323).

Unusually long (up to 16 cm), upper-surface, whitish corridor. Often the corridor crosses itself so repeatedly that a secondary blotch develops. Sometimes a few small grains of frass in the initial part of the mine. Otherwise the mine is either completely free from frass, or a few big lumps are deposited at the very end of the corridor. Pupation outside the mine.

The mine is illustrated in the Encyclopedia of Life.

On Knautia and possibly Succisa, but not yet on Centaurea, in Britain. On Centaurea, Knautia and Succisa elsewhere. Widespread in southern Britain and much of Europe. Also recorded in the Republic of Ireland.

Aulagromyza similis (Brischke, 1880) [Diptera: Agromyzidae].

3d > Leaf-miner: A white mine along mid-rib, with offshoots into leaf blade. Pupation internal at base of mid-rib.

In Asteraceae the larva mostly lives as a borer in the midrib of the leaves. From there short corridors are made into the blade. Also a corridor can be made overlying the midrib. In Euphorbia a small mine is made in the bracts of the inflorescence. The final mine strongly resembles the one of Liriomyza strigata, but the branches are vritually free from frass; this is acccumulated in the resting place of the larva, in the base of the midrib. There also pupation takes place.

Forms a mine along the midrib and has feeding spurs into the leaf. Pupation is in the mine at the base of the midrib.

On Cicerbita, Leontodon, Sonchus and Taraxacum, but not yet on Centaurea, in Britain and numerous other genera of Asteraceae elsewhere. Widespread in south, but not common, in Britain. Widespread in continental Europe.

Ophiomyia beckeri (Hendel, 1923) [Diptera: Agromyzidae].

4a > Leaf-miner: Mine a brownish blotch, at apex of leaf segment, several larvae feed together. Pupation in mine (Spencer, 1972b: 94).

Greenish, later brownish, upper-surface blotch in the tip of a leaf segment, without a trace of an initial corridor. Often several larvae share a mine. No secondary feeding lines. Frass in numerous blackish green granules that are irregularly scattered. Pupation within the mine, pupariria loose in the mine.

On Centaurea scabiosa in Britain and elsewhere. Uncommon, only recorded from Derby and Warwick in Britain. Germany and Spanish mainland in continental Europe.

Phytomyza cinerea Hendel, 1920 [Diptera: Agromyzidae].

4b > Leaf-miner: A short, irregular, linear upper surface mine on any part of the leaf. Also recorded from young pods (Bland, 1997a).

Long corridor mine. As a rule the first part of the mine is lower-surface, the later part upper-surface. Often the loops are so dense that a secondary blotch is the result. Because upper- and lower-surface corridor segments often cross, the mine obtains a strange array of transparant patches. There is no association with the midrib. Frass in strings and thread fragments. Pupation outside the mine; exit slit in upper epidermis.

Mine not associated with the veins or midrib of the leaf (It is this character which enables distinction from another Agromyzid pest species - Liriomyza huidobriensis). The larvae may leave one leaf (if not large enough) and enter another leaf, via the petiole). It exits the leaf to pupate through a semi-circular slit in the upper surface of the leaf.

Polyphagous. On 119 plant genera in 31 plant families of which only 4 plant genera in 2 plant families, but not yet on Centaurea, in Britain. Local, probably introduced to Britain. Widespread in continental Europe particularly in Botanical Gardens and glasshouses. Also recorded in Egypt.

Liriomyza bryoniae (Kaltenbach, 1858) [Diptera: Agromyzidae].

4c > Leaf-miner: Larvae feed singly.

5a > Leaf-miner: A short irregular linear mine with frass in more or less connected threads (Spencer, 1976: 238).

Fairly long, upper-surface, little branched corridor; loops close together. Frass in pearl chains or strings. Pupation outside the mine.

Mines of Phytomyza spinaciae on Cirsium arvense. Image: © Willem Ellis (Source: Bladmineerders en plantengallen van Europa)

Mines of Phytomyza spinaciae on Cirsium arvense
Image: © Willem Ellis (Bladmineerders van Europa)

On Carduus, Centaurea, Cirsium and Onopordum in Britain and in addition Cnicus and Serratula elsewhere. Only recorded from Warwick and Stafford in Britain. Also recorded in the Repupublic of Ireland. Widespread in continental Europe, range extending to the Kirghiz Republic of the [former] U.S.S.R.

Phytomyza spinaciae Hendel, 1928 [Diptera: Agromyzidae].

5b > Leaf-miner: Mine not interparenchymal.

6a > Leaf-miner: Mine linear, whitish, both upper and lower surface. Pupation internal, at the end of the mine with the anterior spiracles projecting through the epidermis (Spencer, 1976: 433).

Upper-surface, less often lower-surface corridor. Frass in isolated grains. Pupation within the mine, usually in a lower-surface puparial chamber.

A long whitish upper surface corridor, which eventually goes lower surface.

Two highly polyphagous species of Chromatomyia, with indistinguishable mines, have been recorded in Britain. These are syngenesiae (Hardy) and horticola (Goureau) which can only be distinguished by the male genitalia. Both species are widespread in Britain and elsewhere, although syngenesiae is almost entirely restricted to Asteraceae. Records on Asteraceae not based on examination of male genitalia are treated in this account as Chromatomyia 'atricornis'.

Chromatomyia 'atricornis' has been recorded on Centaurea in Britain.

Chromatomyia syngenesiae is recorded on Centaurea elsewhere but not yet on Centaurea in Britain.

Chromatomyia horticola (Goureau, 1851) [Diptera: Agromyzidae]
OR
Chromatomyia syngenesiae Hardy, 1849 [Diptera: Agromyzidae].

6b > Leaf-miner: A short irregular linear mine with frass in more or less connected threads.

Mine of Liriomyza centaurea on Centaurea scabiosa. Image: © Willem Ellis (Source: Bladmineerders en plantengallen van Europa)

Mine of Liriomyza centaurea on Centaurea scabiosa
Image: © Willem Ellis (Bladmineerders van Europa)

On Centaurea jacea, Centaurea montana, Centaurea nigra and Centaurea nigra in Britain and additional Centaurea species elsewhere. Widespread in Britain and much of Europe.

Liriomyza centaureae Hering, 1927 [Diptera: Agromyzidae].

6c > Leaf-miner: A tightly coiled, almost blotch-like mine.

6d > Leaf-miner: Mine long, distinctly greenish. Pupation in mine (Spencer, 1972b: 88).

Branched, upper-surface corridor, with very irregular sides. Frass in isolared grains, maximally only 4 times their diameeter apart. Pupation within the mine.

Mine of Phytomyza autumnalis on Centaurea nigra, ex Spencer Collection. Image: © Brian Pitkin

Mine of Phytomyza autumnalis on Centaurea nigra (Spencer Collection)
Image: © Brian Pitkin

On Centaurea montana, Centaurea nigra and possibly Cirsium arvense and Cirsium vulgare in Britain and Centaurea montana, Centaurea nigra, Centaurea scabiosa, Cirsium arvense and Onopordum acanthium elsewhere. Widespread in Britain and continental Europe.

Phytomyza autumnalis Griffiths, 1959 [Diptera: Agromyzidae].

6e > Leaf-miner:Strongly branched corridor mine which can become a secondary blotch. Frass in small grains. Pupation inside the mine (Spencer, 1976: 505 (fig. 883) or outside the mine.

Hosts in Britain unknown. On Centaurea and ? Cirsium elsewhere. Recorded as new to Britain by McLean (1981). Widespread in continental Europe

Phytomyza spoliata Strobl, 1906 [Diptera: Agromyzidae].

Key for the identification of the known mines of British
non-Diptera recorded on Centaurea

Note: The larvae of mining Coleoptera, Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera may live in a corridor mine, a corridor-blotch mine, a blotch mine, a case, a rolled or folded leaf, a tentiform mine or sandwiched between two more or less circular leaf sections in later instars. Larva may pupate in a silk cocoon. The larva may have six legs (although they may be reduced or absent), a head capsule and chewing mouthparts with opposable mandibles (see video of a gracillarid larva feeding). Larvae of Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera usually also have abdominal legs (see examples). Frass, if present, never in two rows. Unless feeding externally from within a case the larva usually vacates the mine by chewing an exit hole. Pupa with visible head appendages, wings and legs which lie in sheaths (see examples).

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)

1b > Leaf-miner, but not a case-bearer: The larva lives mainly inside the mine. Mine usually contains frass. In later instars the larva may live sandwiched between two more or less circular sections cut from the leaf.

2a > Leaf-miner and case-bearer: A relatively large (12-15 mm), dark brown, lightly curved two-valved sheath case with a narrow ventral keel. Mouth angle 30-45.

On Centaurea nigra in Britain and Aster, Centaurea, Chrysanthemum and Scabiosa elsewhere. Recorded from South Essex in Britain. Widespread in continental Europe.

Coleophora conspicuella Zeller, 1849 [Lepidoptera: Coleophoridae].

2b > Leaf-miner and case-bearer: Larva mines leaves. The larva builds a case from silk, resembling a razor shell in appearance.. The full-grown case is 12 mm long and blackish-brown. The full grown larva lives in a blackish brown trivalved tubular silken case of about 8 mm. The mouth angle is 0°-10°, causing the case to lay almost flat on the leaf.

On Arctium, Centaurea, Cirsium, Serratula in Britain and Arctium, Carduus, Centaurea, Cirsium, Saussurea and Serratula elsewhere. Widespread in Britain, Ireland and continental Europe.

Coleophora paripennella Zeller, 1839 [Lepidoptera: Coleophoridae].

2c > Leaf-miner and case-bearer: The larva forms a case, approximately 11-12 mm long, beneath a thistle leaf, although burdock may sometimes be used. The shape of the ochreous case varies as, when being enlarged, it is elongated first, and the girth increased subsequently. Yellow-brown to light grey tubular silken case with darker length lines. The case is fairly large (up to 17 mm) and very slender. The rear end is three-valved, the mouth angle about 50°. The larva feeds at the underside of the leaf.

On Arctium, Centaurea, Cirsium, Serratula in Britain and Arctium, Carduus, Centaurea, Cirsium, Saussurea and Serratula elsewhere. Widespread in Britain, Ireland and continental Europe.

Coleophora peribenanderi Toll, 1943 [Lepidoptera: Coleophoridae].

3a > Leaf-miner: The eggs of this species are laid on a leaf, with the larvae mining the underside of the leaf, until a late instar when it feeds in a web under the midrib of the leaf, causing visible blotching on the upperside. Short, full depth corridor. The larva relatively long lives as a miner, but finally leaves the mine and continues living in spinning along the midrib at the leaf underside, from where windows are eaten in the leaf.

Agonopterix propinquella on Cirsium arvense

On Cirsium arvense and Cirsium vulgare, but not yet on Centaurea, in Britain plus Arctium, Carduus, Centaurea, Cynara, Mycelis and Serratula elsewhere. Widespread in Britain and continental Europe.

Agonopterix propinquella (Treitschke, 1835) [Lepidoptera: Depressariidae].

3b > Leaf-miner: In the first instar the larva mines the leaves, forming short, irregular, blotch-like mines, but in later instars it lives externally, feeding in spun leaves and often twisting those of tender shoots. Larval head light-brown or yellowish brown, edged with black postero-laterally, ocellar area blackish; prothoracic plate black edged with whitish anteriorly; abdomen dull dark green; pinacula distinct, black, sometimes brownish but with black bases to setae; anal plate large, black (Bradley et al., 1973). Small, full depth mine without a definite shape; little frass. Some silk is deposited in the mine. The larva soon leaves the mine and continues feeding among spun leaves.

Polyphagous. On numerous genera and species in several plant families, but not yet on Centaurea, in Britain. Widespread in Britain and continental Europe. Also recorded from the Channel Is.

Cnephasia incertana (Treitschke, 1835) [Lepidoptera: Tortricidae].

3c > Leaf-miner: The larva makes a large number of untidy full depth mines. The mines contain hardly or no frass. The opening made by the larva in the underside of the leaf is irregular roundish, sometimes more of a slit, large in proportion to the size of the mine, and usually positioned at the side of the mine. The larva mines until just before the pupation, that takes place externally.

On Centaurea in Britain and Centaurea, Cirsium and Globularia elsewhere. Widespread but scarce in southern England from Wilts to Kent. Widespread in continental Europe.

Jordanita globulariae (Hübner, 1793) [Lepidoptera: Zygaenidae].

4c > Leaf-miner: The mine begins in the midrib, especially in a lower leaf, extending into the leaf disc, branching irregularly or pinnately, may also locally be blotch like. The mine is brown and very transparent. Sides very irregularly eaten out. Frass loosely dispersed or in a loose central line, buy may also be pressed against the sides of the corridor. The larva may also leave the mine and restart elsewhere.

Polyphagous. On numerous genera and species in several plant families, including Centaurea, in Britain and elsewhere. Widespread in England and continental Europe. Also recorded in the Republic of Ireland.

Orthochaetes setiger (Beck, 1817) [Coleoptera: Curculionidae].

4d > Leaf-miner: The larva makes a small full depth blotch, usually in the leaf tip. Frass concentrated in the centre of the mine The larva, when full grown, makes a globular cocoon in that same centre and pupates there.

On Centaurea in Britain and elsewhere. Widespread in England and continental Europe. Also recorded in the Republic of Ireland.

Pseudorchestes pratensis (Germar, 1821) [Coleoptera: Curculionidae].

3c > Long corridor, often following the leaf margin, with little frass and with the sides irrregularly eaten out. The first part of the corridor is full depth and makes a few close loops; the later part is more upper-surface and rather wide. Primary feeding lines often conspicuous. No morphological differences are known between the larva of S. rubidum and S. testaceum (Steinhausen, 1994a). However, there is a phenological difference: the larva of testaceum hibernates in the mine and continues feeding after winter; S. rubidum vacates the mine before winter and pupates in the soil. Hering (1957a) suggests that the identification of the beetles is an easy matter, but that is contradicted by Warchalowski (2003a).

On Carduus, Centaurea and Cirsium in Britain and on Arctium, Carduus, Cirsium, Centaurea, Cynara, Onopordum and Serratula elsewhere. Widespread in Britain and continental Europe.

Sphaeroderma testaceum (Fabricius, 1775) [Coloeptera : Chrysomelidae]

3d > Long corridor mine, without obvious relation with the leaf margin, with little frass and irregularly eaten out sides. The first part of the mine is full depth and makes a few close loops; the second part is upper-surface and considerably wider. Primary feedings lines often obvious. The larva is so broad that is completely fills the mine. No morphological differences are known between the larvae of S. rubidum and those of S. testaceum (Steinhausen, 1994a). The larva leaves the mine to pupate in the soil (the larva of testaceum hibernates in the mine.) Hering (1957a) suggests that the imagines are easily separated, but this is contradicted by Warchalowski (2003a).

On Arctium, Carduus, Carthamus, Centaurea, Cirsium, Corylus, Cynara, Onopordum and Serratula in Britain and on Arctium, Carduus, Centaurea, Cynara and Serratula elsewhere. Widespread in Britain and continental Europe.

Sphaeroderma rubidum (Graells, 1858) [Coloeptera : Chrysomelidae]


	Last updated 09-Jul-2020 Brian Pitkin