Bucculatrix nigricomella
Bucculatrix nigricomella
Moulting cocoon on Leucanthemum • St. Helens, Greater Manchester • © Ben Smart

14.002 BF266

Bucculatrix nigricomella

(Zeller, 1839)


Wingspan 7-8 mm.

A fairly distinctive member of the Bucculatrix genus, with its general dark colouration with diffuse paler markings, and noticeable whitish eye-caps.

It is widely distributed over much of the British Isles, though absent in some places. The adults have two generations, flying in April and May and again in August.

The larvae mine the leaves of oxeye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), creating a long, meandering gallery containing narrow blackish frass. In later instars, the larva feeds externally.

See also:
Leafmine (De bladmineerders van Nederland)
back to top