Clover Leaf Miner Moth
Common NameClover Leaf Miner Moth
Scientific NameMicrurapteryx occulta
FamilyGracillariidae
SubfamilyGracillariinae
Wingspan (mm)7
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsbrown, grey, white
HabitatMeadows, grasslands, lawns, agricultural fields, forest edges
Geographic RangeNorth America (eastern and central US, parts of Canada)
Host Plantsclover (Trifolium spp.), white clover (Trifolium repens), red clover (Trifolium pratense)
Flight PeriodMay to October
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesThe larvae are leaf miners, creating characteristic blotch mines within the tissue of clover leaves. Pupation typically occurs within the mine or in a cocoon on the leaf surface or in leaf litter, with multiple generations per year.
Identification TipsBest identified in the field by the distinctive blotch mines created by its larvae on clover leaves. Adult moths are tiny and cryptically colored, requiring close inspection, often under magnification, for species-level identification.
Description
A very small, slender moth, typically brownish-grey with subtle cryptic patterns on its forewings, making it difficult to spot in its natural environment.
