Coptodisca saliciella

Adults are small moths in the family Heliozelidae, characterized by narrow wings and a compact body. Larval mines on Salix leaves are distinctive: they are blotch mines, typically starting as a linear track that expands into a circular or irregular blotch. The mines often contain visible frass arranged in a central line or scattered pattern. Similar Coptodisca species on willows may require examination of genitalia or larval host specificity for definitive identification.

Associated with riparian and wetland habitats where willow species (Salix) grow, including stream banks, marshes, and moist woodlands.

North America; documented from California and Ohio.

Larvae feed on Salix species, specifically documented on Salix lasiolepis (arroyo willow). They mine the leaves of their host plant, feeding internally between the upper and lower leaf surfaces.

• Salix lasiolepis - larval hostprimary documented host; leaf miner
• Salix - larval hostgenus-level host association

Larvae are leaf miners, creating blotch mines in willow leaves. The mining behavior produces visible damage patterns on host foliage.

As a leaf miner, larvae may influence leaf physiology and nutrient cycling in willow-dominated habitats. Specific ecological impacts have not been quantified.

• Other Coptodisca speciesMultiple Coptodisca species mine Salix leaves; differentiation requires examination of mine morphology, larval characteristics, or adult genitalia.
• Phyllonorycter species (Gracillariidae)Also leaf miners on Salix, but typically create tentiform mines on the underside of leaves rather than blotch mines.

• leaf miner
• willow associate
• North American native

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life