Coffeeberry Midrib Gall Moth
Common NameCoffeeberry Midrib Gall Moth
Scientific NameCoptodisca cercocarpella
FamilyHeliozelidae
SubfamilyN/A
Wingspan (mm)3.5
Primary Colorsdark brown, metallic bronze, silver
HabitatChaparral, woodlands, and areas where host plants grow
Geographic RangeWestern North America (California, Oregon, Washington)
Host PlantsFrangula californica, Rhamnus crocea, Rhamnus ilicifolia
Flight PeriodAdults typically emerge in spring to early summer
Flight Stylefluttering
Lifecycle NotesThe larvae of this moth are leaf miners that create distinctive galls along the midrib of coffeeberry leaves. The gall forms as a swollen, often discolored, blister-like structure where the larva feeds and develops. Pupation typically occurs within the gall or after the larva exits to pupate elsewhere.
Identification TipsIdentification is primarily by the characteristic midrib gall formed on the leaves of its coffeeberry host plants. The moth itself is extremely small and difficult to identify without specialized equipment or expert knowledge, but the gall is a clear indicator of its presence.
Description
This is a tiny, dark-colored moth with metallic bronze or coppery scales, often featuring silvery or white markings on its wings. It is a microlepidopteran, making it very small and inconspicuous.
