Eucosmophora sideroxylonella

Distinguished from other Eucosmophora species by association with Sapotaceae host plants and geographic restriction to Cuba and Florida. Forewing length measurements may aid identification, with females larger than males. Leaf mine characteristics on known host plants provide additional diagnostic features.

Small moth with forewing length of 3.4 mm in males and 3.8 mm in females. Sexual dimorphism present in wing size.

Associated with host plants in the Sapotaceae family, including Lyonia fruticosa, Dipholis salicifolia, Manilkara jaimiqui, Sideroxylon foetidissimum, Sideroxylon celastrinum, and Sideroxylon pallidum. Specific habitat type not documented.

Cuba and Florida, United States.

Larvae feed on leaves of Sapotaceae species: Lyonia fruticosa, Dipholis salicifolia, Manilkara jaimiqui, Sideroxylon foetidissimum, Sideroxylon celastrinum, and Sideroxylon pallidum.

• Lyonia fruticosa - larval food plantleaf mining
• Dipholis salicifolia - larval food plantleaf mining
• Manilkara jaimiqui - larval food plantleaf mining
• Sideroxylon foetidissimum - larval food plantleaf mining
• Sideroxylon celastrinum - larval food plantleaf mining
• Sideroxylon pallidum - larval food plantleaf mining

Larval stage characterized by leaf mining behavior on host plants. Specific details of egg, pupal, and adult stages not documented.

Larvae mine leaves of host plants. Adult behavior not described.

Leaf miner on multiple Sapotaceae species. Role in ecosystem dynamics not documented.

• Other Eucosmophora speciesSame genus; distinguished by host plant associations and geographic distribution
• Other Gracillariidae leaf minersSimilar leaf mining behavior; distinguished by host plant specificity and mine morphology

• leaf miner
• Sapotaceae
• sexual dimorphism
• Cuba
• Florida

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