Leucoptera lustratella (Herrich-Schäffer, 1855)
on Hypericum
Hypericum perforatum, Belgium, prov. Limbourg, Heusden-Zolder, Terril Lindeman, 1.viii.2015 © Carina Van Steenwinkel
same mine in backlight
Hypericum perforatum, Belgium, prov. Namur, Jemelle © Jean-Yves Baugnée
mine lighted from behind
detail: individual frass grains are grey and rod-like
a leaf may be completely mined out
Hypericum perforatum, Belgium, prov. Namur, Chevetogne © Jean-Yves Baugnée
Hypericum perforatum, Belgium, prov. Namur, Nismes: a larva is just about to penetrate into a new leaf; from van Nieukerken (2006a)
mine
Upper surface brown blotch, small and round at first. It is enlarged by lobe-like extensions in all directions, that later coalesce. Mostly the mine begins in the leaf tip. Frass concentrated in the centre of the mine. Pupation mostly within the mine, in a whitish cocoon. The larva is capable of leaving a leaf that has been mined out, and restart elsewhere (van Nieukerken, 2006b).
hostplants
Hypericaceae, monophagous
Hypericum hirsutum, maculatum, montanum, perforatum.
phenology
Larvae in June and September (Hering, 1957a).
BENELUX
BE recorded (Phegea, 2009).
NE recorded (Kuchlein & de Vos, 1999a; Microlepidoptera.nl, 2009).
LUX not recorded (Fauna Europaea, 2009).
distribution within Europe
From Fennoscandia to the Pyrenees and Italy, and from France to Belarus and Romania (Fauna Europaea, 2009).
larva
See Dziurzynski (1957a).
pupa
Described by Patočka (2000a), Patočka & Turčáni (2005a).
synonyms
Cemiostoma lustratella.
notes
The mine can be confused with the mine of Fomoria septembrella, but that one has a long, winding, initial gallery.
references
Beiger (1955a), Bengtsson & Johansson (2011a), Borkowski (2003a), Buhr (1964a), Buszko (1981a, 1992b), Buszko & Beshkov (2004a), Dziurzynski (1957a), Drăghia (1968a), van Frankenhuyzen (1973a), van Frankenhuyzen Houtman & Kabos (1982a), Hering (1933b, 1957a), Klimesch (1957a, 1958c), Kuchlein & Donner (1993a), Kuchlein & de Vos (1999a), Mey (1994a), Michalska (1970a, 1976a), van Nieukerken (2006a), Patočka (2000a), Patočka & Turčáni (2005a), De Prins, Steeman & Sierens (2016a), Steeman & Sierens (2018a), Szőcs (1977a).