Cordilura picticornis
This is C. similis Siebke of Collin (1958)[1]. The palps are a pale creamy yellow and the frons, face and tip of the second antennal segment are also yellow. The thorax and abdomen are black and thinly dusted with the ground colour shining through. Two or more fine setulae are present on the upper side of the wing vein R1. Wing length: ♂ 5.0 - 5.4 - 6.1 mm (11); ♀ 4.0 - 5.8 - 6.6 mm (8).
References
Nelson (1998)[1] found larvae and pupae in the stems of Carex aquatilis growing beside the River Spey just upstream of Grantown-on-Spey. The mines extended for about 10cm above the water surface and were filled with brown frass. Pupae were found at the top of such workings. There are two records from northern England: Holker Moss, Lancashire (1969) (although this is probably J.M.Nelson’s record. originally determined by him as this species, but which turned out to be C. (S.) hyalipennis) and Keld Head Spring, Yorks (1987). (There is also a very dubious record from Lyndhurst in the New Forest). Most records are for June, but extending to 23.vii. Nelson suggests that the species is univoltine, with eggs laid in July, hatching after about 7 days and pupating by mid-September. Adults then emerge about the following June.
References
A rare northern species found in marshes and fens in upland areas. Mainly recorded from the Central Highlands of Scotland where it is locally abundant at a number of localities along the River Spey from Insh to Grantown.
World distribution: Palaearctic: Finland, Sweden, Russia: northern European regions; Nearctic: Canada, USA.