WildBristol.uk - Discovering Wildlife in Bristol

Scarce and local. It is fairly common in the South East and Bristol Region. It also occurs along the South coast, around Manchester, Midlands and Oxford. It is moving North into Southern Scotland. Habitat includes: Anywhere where Alliums occur e.g. gardens, parks, allotments, churchyards, fields, coasts, meadows, downland, grassland etc. Wingspan: 12 mm. Caterpillar length: Up to 14 mm. Life story: Oviposition takes place in three stages: slow walking, pausing, and egg-laying. Females choose to lay their eggs on the largest plant available. The Larva pupates in an open network cocoon. Development time from egg to adult is variable depending on temperature, generally ranging from 3 weeks at higher temperatures to 6 weeks at lower temperatures. Flight period: 2 generations (June to July, October to early Spring). Other names include: Onion Leaf Miner.