Very common in parks and lanes where Aesculus hippocastanum is planted, causing severe damage. Distributed in all provinces of Belgium and first encountered in 1999 at Tervuren (BR).

The larvae cause upperside mines in the leaves of Aesculus hippocastanum. In many cases there are several mines in 1 leaf and from July onwards, some leaves are completely covered with mines causing premature defoliation (see More pictures ). Females of the third generation may have difficulties in finding oviposition sites, and in such cases development can take place on Acer pseudoplatanus. Pupation inside the leaf mines. The pupa hibernates.

There are three overlapping generations per year. The first imagines starting to appear in April, resting on tree trunks. Swarms with thousands of specimens were observed in early morning hours during sunny days in July.