Stigmella myricafoliella
(Busck, 1900) Grossbeck, 1917
Stigmella myricafoliella is a minute leaf-mining in the Nepticulidae, recorded in eastern North America from Florida to Nova Scotia. The has a wingspan of 5–5.2 mm. Larvae are feeders on Myrica species, creating distinctive blotch mines in leaves.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Stigmella myricafoliella: /stɪɡˈmɛlə ˌmɪrɪkəˈfɔliˌɛlə/
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Identification
are extremely small (5–5.2 mm wingspan) and require microscopic examination for definitive identification. Larval mines are diagnostic: beginning as short serpentine track on upper leaf surface, then expanding into large irregular blotch that often obscures the early serpentine portion. is black and scattered throughout the mine. Mature larvae are 4.5–5 mm long, cylindrical, somewhat flattened, white with light-brown and two small black lateral spots on the first thoracic segment. occurs in a glistening white oblong cocoon spun under white longitudinal silken bands (bridgework) on the leaf surface outside the mine.
Distribution
Eastern North America: recorded from Florida and Nova Scotia. Distribution appears to span the Atlantic coastal region.
Diet
Larvae feed on Myrica (bayberries). They mine leaves of their plant.
Host Associations
- Myrica - obligate larval Larvae mine leaves of plant
Life Cycle
and early larval instars not described. Larva mines leaf, beginning as short serpentine track on upper surface, expanding to large irregular blotch. Mature larva 4.5–5 mm long. takes place outside the mine in a white oblong cocoon with conspicuous white silken bridgework on the leaf surface. Multiple mines may occur on a single leaf.
Behavior
Larval leaf-mining creates diagnostic mine pattern. occurs in exposed cocoon on leaf surface rather than within the mine.
Ecological Role
on Myrica ; impacts on plants not documented.
Similar Taxa
- Other Stigmella speciesMany Stigmella are leaf miners with similar ; larval plant and mine morphology (especially the serpentine-to-blotch transition with scattered black ) are critical for distinguishing S. myricafoliella
- Other Nepticulidae members share minute size and leaf-mining habit; identification to and requires examination of genitalia and mine characteristics