Parornix spiraeifoliella
(Braun, 1918)
Parornix spiraeifoliella is a small in the Gracillariidae, first described by Braun in 1918. The is documented only from British Columbia, Canada. Its larvae are leaf miners that develop on Spiraea species, creating distinctive wrinkled mines on the undersides of leaves. The species has been observed 26 times on iNaturalist.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Parornix spiraeifoliella: //pəˈrɔrnɪks spɪˌreɪiːfoʊˈliːɛlə//
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Larvae can be identified by their leaf mines on Spiraea: a highly wrinkled, underside mine that differs from the smoother mines of many other Gracillariidae. are small with the reduced wing venation and scaling typical of the Parornix; specific adult diagnostic features for this are not well documented.
Habitat
Associated with Spiraea plants, which grow in moist meadows, streambanks, and forest edges in British Columbia.
Distribution
British Columbia, Canada.
Diet
Larvae feed on Spiraea (Rosaceae).
Host Associations
- Spiraea - larval larvae mine leaves of plant
Life Cycle
Larval stage mines leaves of Spiraea; other life stages and are not documented.
Behavior
Larvae are leaf miners, feeding internally within leaf tissue rather than externally.
Similar Taxa
- Other Parornix speciesMany Parornix are leaf miners on Rosaceae; identification to species level often requires examination of genitalia or specific mine characteristics on known plants.
- Other Gracillariidae on SpiraeaSeveral gracillariid mine Rosaceae leaves; the wrinkled underside mine may help distinguish P. spiraeifoliella from with smoother or upper-surface mines.