Bucculatrix_nigricomella
Bucculatrix nigricomella
Species of moth in genus Bucculatrix
Bucculatrix nigricomella is a species of moth of the family Bucculatricidae. It was first described in 1839 by Philipp Christoph Zeller. It is found in most of Europe (except the Balkan Peninsula).[1]
The wingspan is 7–8 mm. The head is dark fuscous. Antennal eyecaps whitish, forewings shining greyish-bronzy, pairs of costal and dorsal undefined ochreous whitish spots before middle and at 2/3. Hindwings are rather dark grey. The larva is greenish or yellowish; head pale brown; segment 2. On the Continent ([Europe]) the usual form of the imago is almost unicolorous, the spots being nearly or quite obsolete, but this form does not seem to have occurred in England.[2]
Adults are on wing from April to May and again in August. There are two generations per year.[3]
The larvae feed on Leucanthemum vulgare.[4] They mine the leaves of their host plant. The mine consists of a long, hair thin, winding corridor. Usually the corridor is mostly on the upper-surface. The frass is initially deposited in a narrow continuous central line. Further on, the frass line is often interrupted. Older larvae live free and cause window feeding, usually at the leaf underside.
- Plant of Chrysanthemum leucanthemum with mined leaves
- Mining larva
- Externally feeding larva
