Last modified: Dec. 2, 2024, 6:36 p.m.
A very rare and local species in Belgium, only found at our coast.
Native
Wingspan 9–11 mm.
The forewings are light ochreous with barely visible white stripes.
The antennae are vaguely ringed.
The larvae live in a seed case in an eaten out dried flower.
The mouth angle is 20–30°.
See also bladmineerders.be.
The eggs are deposited on the flowers of the food plant.
The cases are very hard to find but the caterpillar leaves holes in the other empty seeds so revealing its presence.
The larvae are present on the hostplant from September till November, mostly staying there to hibernate, and then feeding again in springtime.
The adults are on the wing the whole of July till the beginning of August.
Monophagously on Juncus maritimus.
Restricted to the coast, in areas where the hostplant grows.