Phyllonorycter elmaella

Doğanlar & Mutuura, 1980

western tentiform leafminer

Phyllonorycter elmaella, the western tentiform leafminer, is a small in the Gracillariidae. It is a documented pest of apple (Malus) in commercial orchards across western North America. Larvae create tentiform (blotch-shaped) mines within apple leaves, feeding between the upper and lower . The serves as to a diverse of , with at least 14 species recorded, supporting natural in orchard .

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Phyllonorycter elmaella: /ˌfɪl.oʊ.nɔːˈrɪk.tər ɛl.maɪˈɛl.lə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Very small with wingspan approximately 6 mm. Distinguished from other Phyllonorycter by association with apple (Malus) as plant and creation of tentiform (blotch-type) leaf mines rather than linear mines. Specific diagnostic features for separating from not documented in available sources.

Habitat

Commercial apple orchards; specifically documented in Utah, Washington, and California apple-growing regions.

Distribution

British Columbia, Canada; and California, Oregon, Washington, and Utah in the United States.

Seasonality

Multivoltine with multiple per year; activity and larval mining observed across growing season from May through September in studied orchards.

Diet

Larval stage feeds as leafminer within apple (Malus) leaves, creating tentiform mines between upper and lower leaf .

Host Associations

  • Malus - plantapple; larval feeding occurs within leaves
  • Pnigalio flavipes - most abundant in Utah and Washington studies
  • Chrysocharis sp. - among most abundant in Utah
  • Sympiesis marylandensis -
  • Sympiesis viridula -
  • Sympiesis sp. -
  • Chrysocharis ainsliei -
  • Chrysocharis punctifacies -
  • Pnigalio maculipes -
  • Pnigalio pectinicornis -
  • Halticoptera patellana -
  • Hemiptarsenus varicornis -
  • Cirrospilus diallus -
  • Elachertus sp. -

Life Cycle

Multivoltine with multiple per year; larvae mine apple leaves creating characteristic tentiform mines. stage not explicitly documented in available sources. occurs within the mine.

Behavior

Larvae feed as leafminers within apple leaves, creating tentiform (blotch-shaped) mines. have been observed at blacklight.

Ecological Role

Herbivore and pest of cultivated apple; serves as for diverse (14 documented in Utah alone), contributing to natural in orchard . rates reach up to 64% in some orchards.

Human Relevance

Documented pest of commercial apple orchards in western North America. Subject of research due to economic impact on apple production and potential for through conservation.

Similar Taxa

  • Phyllonorycter nr. elmaellaTaxonomically similar; recorded from California with near-identical and on apple, suggesting potential or geographic variation
  • Other Phyllonorycter speciesCongeneric leafminers that may occur on apple or other Rosaceae; require examination of mine shape, association, and genitalia for definitive identification

Tags

Sources and further reading