Dasineura geranii (Kieffer, 1907)

Material: TEY, Porsgrunn:Brevik, Dammane, 59.057437°N 9.683015°E ± 5m, 23 June 2022, LF, leg. HE, coll. NHMO; VE, Larvik: Ødegården, 59.14732°N 10.42644°E ± 50m, 12 June 2019, L, leg. AF, BOLD: NHMO-ENT-548119, coll. NHMO; AK, Baerum: Fornebu, Rolfstangen, 59.890374°N 10.633679°E ± 10m, 18 June 2022, LMF, leg. HE & TS, coll. NHMO .

Biology and notes: The white to pale or bright orange-red larvae develop on Erodium cicutarium, Geranium sanguineum and G. sylvaticum ( Geraniaceae). Our records are all from G. sanguineum . Two different modes of development have been described for this species. Either, the larvae can develop solitarily in the fruits, which become swollen, or they can develop gregariously in the flower buds, which remain closed, develop black rot on the inside, and gradually dry up. It seems more than likely that these two descriptions refer to two different species, but this has not yet been confirmed. All records from Norway are of the latter variety which develops in the unopened flower buds (see also Skuhravá & Skuhravý 2012). The species is univoltine. Pupation and hibernation in the soil.

Distribution: Known from several European countries including Norway and Sweden.