Acrocercops albinatella
(Chambers, 1872)
Acrocercops albinatella is a leaf-mining in the Gracillariidae. The is associated with oak species (Quercus) across eastern North America. Larvae produce distinctive mines that begin as narrow, winding tracks before expanding into tentiform blotches on the leaf underside.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Acrocercops albinatella: //ˌækroʊˈsɜːrkɒps ælbɪˈnætɛlə//
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Identification
Larvae are identified by their leaf mines: an initial long, serpentine, Nepticulid-like track that terminates in a large, tentiform mine on the underside of oak leaves. are small typical of the Gracillariidae; specific diagnostic features for separating this from are not documented in available sources.
Images
Habitat
Associated with oak-dominated where occur, including forests and woodlands containing white oak (Quercus alba), turkey oak (Quercus laevis), post oak (Quercus stellata), and related species.
Distribution
Eastern North America: Quebec, Canada; and the United States including Maryland, New York, Maine, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Missouri, Ohio, Kentucky, Texas, and Illinois.
Seasonality
have been recorded on wing in late June and early July in central Illinois.
Diet
Larvae feed on oak leaves (Quercus alba, Quercus laevis, Quercus obtusiloba, Quercus rubra, Quercus stellata).
Host Associations
- Quercus alba - larval leaf mine
- Quercus laevis - larval leaf mine
- Quercus obtusiloba - larval leaf mine
- Quercus rubra - larval leaf mine
- Quercus stellata - larval leaf mine
Life Cycle
Larval development occurs within leaf mines on oak foliage. The mine progresses from an initial serpentine track to a tentiform blotch on the leaf underside.
Behavior
Larvae are leaf miners that feed internally within oak leaf tissue. The mining pattern changes during development, beginning with a narrow winding gallery and expanding to a tentiform blotch.
Similar Taxa
- Nepticulidae speciesEarly-stage mines resemble Nepticulid-like serpentine tracks, but Acrocercops albinatella is distinguished by the transition to a large tentiform mine on the leaf underside.
More Details
Nomenclature
Original basionym listed as Acrocercops albinotella in some sources.