Phyllonorycter lucidicostella

(Clemens, 1859)

Lesser Maple Leaf Blotch Miner, Lesser Maple Leaf Blotch Miner Moth

A microlepidopteran leaf-mining in the Gracillariidae. are minute with a wingspan of approximately 6.5 mm. Larvae feed as leaf miners on maple (Acer), creating blotch mines on foliage. The species is documented across eastern North America from Ontario and Québec south to Alabama and North Carolina.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Phyllonorycter lucidicostella: /ˌfɪloʊnɔːˈrɪktər luˌsɪdɪkoʊˈstɛlə/

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

Identification

Requires microscopic examination of genitalia or detailed wing pattern analysis for reliable separation from congeneric . Larval mines on Acer species may aid in field detection. attracted to light. Distinguished from other maple-feeding Phyllonorycter by specific mine and associations, though precise diagnostic characters not provided in sources.

Habitat

Associated with deciduous forests and urban/suburban areas where maple trees occur. Specific microhabitat requirements not documented.

Distribution

Eastern North America: Canada (Ontario, Québec); United States (Alabama, Connecticut, Illinois, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Maine, Michigan, New York, Vermont, North Carolina, Virginia).

Diet

Larvae feed on Acer including Acer floridanum (Florida maple), Acer saccharinum (silver maple), Acer rubrum (red maple), and Acer nigrum (black maple). do not feed; mouthparts reduced or absent.

Host Associations

  • Acer floridanum - larval
  • Acer saccharinum - larval
  • Acer rubrum - larval Virginia record
  • Acer nigrum - larval Virginia record

Life Cycle

Complete (holometabolous). Larvae are leaf miners, feeding within leaf tissue and creating blotch-type mines. Specific details of placement, larval instars, site, and voltinism not documented in sources.

Behavior

Larvae mine leaves of maples, producing blotch mines. and attracted to artificial light sources. Other not documented.

Ecological Role

Herbivore as larva; contributes to leaf damage on maple trees, though typically at low densities. Specific ecological impacts or trophic relationships not studied.

Human Relevance

Minor potential as ornamental pest on maple trees; not considered economically significant. Presence indicates healthy maple .

Similar Taxa

  • Phyllonorycter acerifoliellaAlso feeds on Acer ; requires genitalia dissection or mine characteristics for separation.
  • Other Phyllonorycter speciesNumerous congeneric occur in overlapping range; identification to species level generally requires examination.

Tags

Sources and further reading