Stigmella multispicata
Rocienė & Stonis in Stonis & Rocienė, 2014
Stigmella multispicata is a in the , to East Asia and in eastern North America. It was first described from a single male from Primorye, Russia in 2014, and subsequently identified as an established in North America through that matched specimens from Beijing, China with found in the United States. The is a specializing on Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila), distinguished by morphological features including a collar, entirely dark , and in females an elongated narrow adapted for in hairy leaf axils. It is the only Ulmus-feeding nepticulid in North America with green . First detected in North America around 2010, the species has since spread to ten US states and two Canadian provinces.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Stigmella multispicata: /ˈstɪɡməˌlɑː mʌltɪspɪˈkɑːtə/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Distinguished from the European Stigmella ulmivora by collar (versus dark in S. ulmivora) and entirely dark . Separated from North elm Stigmella apicialbella and Ectoedemia ulmella by green larval coloration (other have non-green ). Female's elongated narrow is distinctive and adapted for in underside hairy leaf axils, where all mines originate. provides definitive identification and was crucial for linking Asian and North American .
Images
Habitat
Urban and suburban environments where Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila) occurs, including residential areas, parks, arboreta, and nursery settings. Associated with human-modified landscapes where the tree has been planted.
Distribution
range: East Asia, including Russia (Primorye) and China (Beijing). range: eastern North America, documented from USA (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, Wisconsin) and Canada (Ontario, Québec). First detected in North America around 2010; spread facilitated by trade of live plants through nurseries is suspected.
Seasonality
records primarily from July to August. Larval activity occurs during growing season of . Mass larval descent observed, with descending on strands to pupate.
Diet
feed as on leaves of Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila), consuming leaf tissue between upper and lower . feeding habits not documented.
Host Associations
- Ulmus pumila - primary Siberian elm; sole documented in North America. All mines start in underside hairy leaf axils where female oviposits.
Life Cycle
laid in underside hairy leaf axils of leaves using elongated . hatch and mine leaf tissue, creating linear mines. Larvae are green and feed internally. Mature larvae descend en masse from host trees on strands to pupate in . occurs in protected locations. emerge in summer. Multiple per year likely given extended adult period.
Behavior
exhibit mass occurrence on trees, with synchronized descent on strands for . attracted to light (collected in light traps). activity pattern inferred from light trap captures. spread pattern suggests human-mediated via nursery trade.
Ecological Role
of Siberian elm; may compete with North elm leafminers Stigmella apicialbella and Ectoedemia ulmella for resources. can reach high levels, with mass larval occurrences reported from Long Island, New York. Impact on native elm unknown but flagged as priority.
Human Relevance
Recognized as in North America, likely via nursery trade of live plants. Subject of citizen science documentation through platforms such as BugGuide and iNaturalist, which contributed to mapping its distribution. Not considered a significant economic pest, though high have been observed. Researchers recommend for potential shifts to elm .
Similar Taxa
- Stigmella ulmivoraEuropean also feeding on Ulmus; distinguished by dark collar (versus in S. multispicata) and different , particularly in females which lack the elongated narrow of S. multispicata.
- Stigmella apicialbella North elm ; distinguished by larval coloration (not green) and different mine .
- Ectoedemia ulmella North elm ; distinguished by larval coloration (not green) and different mine .
More Details
Invasion history
The was first described in 2014 from a single male collected in Primorye, Russia. Its presence in North America was unrecognized until of a from Beijing, China matched specimens from Indiana, USA, revealing the North as an establishment. The oldest North American records date to 2010, indicating the species was already well established by the time of its formal recognition.
Taxonomic resolution
Identification relies on combination of external ( collar, dark ), dissection (particularly female structure), larval coloration (green), and . The latter was essential for linking geographically and confirming the status in North America.
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- Catalogue of Life
- biodiversity | Blog - Part 35
- Stigmella multispicata Rociene. & Stonis, an Asian leafminer on Siberian elm, now widespread in eastern North America (Lepidoptera, Nepticulidae)
- New Records of Palearctic Stigmella Species (Lepidoptera: Nepticulidae) on Elms (Ulmaceae: Ulmus spp.) in North America, Including New Hosts for S. multispicata Rocienė and Stonis and the First Continental Record for S. Ulmivora (Fologne)