Parornix kalmiella
(Dietz, 1907)
Laurel Leafminer
Parornix kalmiella is a small in the Gracillariidae, commonly known as the Laurel Leafminer. The is named for its association with Kalmia (mountain laurel), its larval plant. It occurs in northeastern North America, with records from Canada and the United States. Larvae create blotch or serpentine mines in leaves of their host.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Parornix kalmiella: //pəˈrɔrnɪks kælmɪˈɛlə//
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Distribution
Canada: Nova Scotia, Québec, Ontario, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island; United States: Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maine, Vermont
Diet
Larvae feed on Kalmia (mountain laurel)
Host Associations
- Kalmia - larval of ericaceous shrubs commonly called mountain laurel
Behavior
Larvae are leaf miners, feeding internally within leaf tissue
More Details
Etymology
The specific epithet kalmiella refers to the larval Kalmia
Family characteristics
Gracillariidae is a large of microlepidoptera, many of which are leaf miners in their larval stage