Placochela nigripes

The larvae of Placochela nigripes produce galls on the flower buds of Wild Privet (Ligustrum vulgare) and Elder (Sambucus nigra) occasionally on Garden Privet causing the buds to remain closed and swollen. The galls contain an orange larva.

The inquiline Arnoldiola/Arnoldia sambuci may be present in the gall; it has white larvae.

Gall Adult

Please provide photograph of gall and (where present) of the larva, or obtain verification from external expert (try BPGS facebook group)

Where the larval host plants occur.

Summer.

Univoltine; hibernation in the ground.

True status in Britain is difficult to determine due to lack of records.

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.