Stigmella myricafoliella
(Busck, 1900) Grossbeck, 1917
Stigmella myricafoliella is a minute leaf-mining in the , recorded in eastern North America from Florida to Nova Scotia. The has a wingspan of 5–5.2 mm. 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 are 4.5–5 mm long, cylindrical, somewhat flattened, with light- and two small black spots on the first thoracic . occurs in a glistening white oblong spun under white longitudinal silken (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
feed on Myrica (bayberries). They mine leaves of their .
Host Associations
- Myrica - obligate larval mine leaves of
Life Cycle
and early larval not described. 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 oblong 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 on leaf surface rather than within the mine.
Ecological Role
on Myrica ; impacts on plants not documented.
Similar Taxa
- Other Stigmella speciesMany Stigmella are with similar ; larval 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 and mine characteristics