Tephritis formosa

Tephritis formosa

Description

Length males 4 to 5 mm, females 5 to 6 mm. It has light beige wings that are boldly patterned with dark markings, the wing tip is clear with two small dark marks. 

Identification difficulty

Adult Gall

Recording advice

Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required. If the photo doesn't show the key ID features then in the comments box describe the size and identifying characters you have observed.

Habitat

Most well vegetated places, especially meadows and grassland where the larval host plants grow.

Life History

The host plants for the larvae are Hawk's-beard, Cat's-ear and Sow-thistle flower heads, causing galls to form on them.

UK Status

Quite common and widespread, at least in southern Britain.

VC55 Status

Fairly common in Leicestershire and Rutland

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Additional images

All NatureSpot records