Cremastobombycia ambrosiaeella
(Chambers, 1871)
A minute leaf-mining in the Gracillariidae with a wingspan of 5.5–6.5 mm. The is known from parts of Canada and the eastern and central United States. Larvae feed on several in the Asteraceae family, including Ambrosia, Helianthus, and Verbesina, forming mines in leaves.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Cremastobombycia ambrosiaeella: /krɛˌmæstoʊbɒmˈbɪʃiə æmˌbrəʊziˈaɪ̯i ˈɛlə/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Distinguished from similar leaf-mining by association with specific Asteraceae plants (Ambrosia, Helianthus, Verbesina) and geographic range in eastern North America. Larval mines may be diagnostic but specific mine is not documented in available sources. identification requires dissection and examination of genitalia, standard for Gracillariidae.
Habitat
Associated with plants in the Asteraceae , including Ambrosia artemisiifolia (common ragweed) and related . These plants typically occupy disturbed open areas, roadsides, fields, and woodland edges.
Distribution
Eastern and central North America: Canada (Ontario, Quebec) and United States (Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, New York, Texas).
Diet
Larvae feed on leaves of Ambrosia (A. artemisiifolia, A. trifida), Helianthus species (H. giganteus), Heterotheca squarrosa, Rudbeckia alternifolia, and Verbesina species (V. alternifolia). Feeding occurs as leaf miners within plant foliage.
Host Associations
- Ambrosia artemisiifolia - larval plant
- Ambrosia trifida - larval plant
- Helianthus giganteus - larval plant
- Heterotheca squarrosa - larval plant
- Rudbeckia alternifolia - larval plant
- Verbesina alternifolia - larval plant
Life Cycle
Larvae mine leaves of plants; specific details of placement, site, number of , and stage are not documented in available sources.
Behavior
Larvae are leaf miners, feeding internally within plant leaves rather than externally on the surface.
Ecological Role
As a , larvae may influence photosynthetic capacity of plants. Specific ecological impacts are not documented.
Human Relevance
No documented economic or medical significance. Larvae feed on common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), a significant allergen-producing plant, but their impact on ragweed is negligible given their minute size and limited abundance.
Similar Taxa
- Other Cremastobombycia species members share similar size, associations with Asteraceae, and leaf-mining habit. Identification to requires examination of genitalia.
- Other Gracillariidae leaf miners on AsteraceaeMultiple (e.g., Phyllonorycter, Cameraria) mine Asteraceae leaves. plant specificity and mine help distinguish, but definitive identification requires examination.
More Details
Taxonomic note
The name has been spelled both 'Cremastobombycia' and 'Cremnastobombycia' in literature; current accepted spelling follows Chambers' original intent.
Host record clarification
Some sources list 'Ridania alternifolia' and 'Heterotera squarrosa' as ; these are likely orthographic errors for Rudbeckia alternifolia and Heterotheca squarrosa respectively.