De valkruidmineervlinder Digitivalva arnicella in Nederland: herontdekking en behoud (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae: Acrolepiinae)

The occurrence of Digitivalva arnicella in the Netherlands: rediscovery and conservation (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae: Acrolepiinae) Digitivalva arnicella (Heyden, 1863), previously only known from two localities before 1902, has been rediscovered in eight localities in the northern part of the Netherlands (province of Drenthe) on its host Arnica montana. On the basis of leafmines, found in old herbarium collections, it can be concluded that the species was once widespread within the range of its host in the northern and eastern parts of the Netherlands and has apparently been overlooked by entomologists since. D. arnicella is a much endangered species in the Netherlands, because of the dramatic decline of its host. Two of the eight discovered populations have been lost since their discovery in the first half of the 1990’s. Systematics and life history of the species are described and illustrated, the distribution is mapped and advise for management of its sites are given. The current management of some populations of Arnica, by mowing the site completely in August, is disastrous for the young caterpillars, mining the leaves.