Eucosma metzneriana (Treitschke, 1830) Species
Last modified: Dec. 6, 2023, 10:03 a.m.
A not so common species in Belgium, hitherto almost only known from the northern part.
Details
- Classification
- Family: Tortricidae > Subfamily: Olethreutinae > Tribus: Eucosmini > Genus: Eucosma > Species: Eucosma metzneriana
- Vernacular names
- Zalmkleurig knoopvlekje (NL), Mugwort Bell, Mugwort Tortrix (EN), Beifußkraut-Triebwickler (DE)
- First mention in Belgium
- Janmoulle E. 1946b. Microlépidoptères nouveaux pour la faune belge. — Lambillionea 46: 121–123. On page 122.
- Status
-
Native
Distribution
Imago
Wingspan 18–23 mm. A whitish species marked in grey brown.
Museum specimens
Specimens in nature
Bionomics
The larva starts in the tip of a shoot which it aborts, causing a swelling, recognisable because the frass is ejected as a light coloured lump. It hibernates in the stem and pupates in a flimsy cocoon, close to an already prepared exit opening in the lower part of the stem.The part of the plant above the gall often ultimately dies off.
The adults are active at dusk and later come to light.
Flight periods
The adults have been observed from late May towards late August. Most observations during June.
Observed on
- Host plant (species):
- Artemisia vulgaris and Artemisia absinthium
- Host plant (genera):
- Artemisia
The larva lives on Artemisia absinthium, Artemisia. vulgaris and Artemisia spp.
Habitat
It inhabits open places like roadside verges, rough ground, herb-rich fields and uncultivated ground.
