Food Plant: Centaurea spp. (Knapweeds) and related genera (Krátký - 2021) eg ,Carduus pycnocephalus (Italian Thistle),Cynara cardunculus (Artichoke Thistle). Serratula tinctoria (Saw-wort)Arctium; Carthamus lanatus( Distaff Thistle), Echinops spp., Galactites tomentosus, Onopordum acanthium (Scotch Thistle), Serratula spp (saw-wort)
Eggs: laid singly on the underside of leaves
Mine: end of Luly - mid November
Notes: The young larvae mine directly into a leaf vein, but later instars make a long full depth gallery, with little frass. The larva is large and is almost the same width as the gallery (as shown). The larva hibernates over the winter. This is a common and widespread species throughout England, Wales, southern Scotland and Ireland.
Data: 20.x.2013, Stretham, Cambs, VC29
Image:© Ian Barton
sponsored by Colin Plant Associates (UK) LLP/Consultant Entomologists
