Seq # 185170010

Sabulopteryx limosella (Duponchel, 1843) Species

Last modified: Sept. 6, 2023, 5:38 p.m.


Discovered new for Belgium in 2009 in some southern limestone areas, where it is local and very rare.


Details

Classification
Family: Gracillariidae > Subfamily: Gracillariinae > Tribus: Gracillariini > Genus: Sabulopteryx > Species: Sabulopteryx limosella
Vernacular names
Gamandersteltmot (NL), Gamander-Blatttütenfalter (DE)
First mention in Belgium
Baugnée J.-Y. & Ellis W. N. 2011. Aspilapteryx limosella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), new to the Belgian fauna. — Phegea 39(2): 54–58. On page 54. view page
Status

Native


Distribution


Imago

Almost entirely ochreous brown, lighter at costa, with some blackish small dots spread all over.

Museum specimens


Specimens in nature


Mine

Underside mine, whitish to light green at the underside, dark green to purplish above. Because the foodplant has small leaves, the fully developed mine occupies the entire leaf surface and the caterpillar has to move sometimes to other leaves.
See also gracillariidae.net and bladmineerders.be.


Bionomics

Pupation mostly in the last mine, but sometimes the caterpillar spins some leaves together. The pupa hibernates.

No pictures yet!

Flight periods

The adults fly in two generations a year: mainly during May and June and again in August.


Observed on

Host plant (species):
Teucrium chamaedrys, Teucrium montanum and Teucrium scorodonia
Host plant (genera):
Teucrium

In Belgium the species has thus far only been found on Teucrium chamaedrys but it can also live on other Teucrium species.

No pictures yet!

Habitat

Bound to warm limestone areas where the foodplants grow.

No pictures yet!