Conifer Needleminer
Common NameConifer Needleminer
Scientific NameColeotechnites piceaella
FamilyGelechiidae
SubfamilyGelechiinae
Wingspan (mm)10
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsbrown, white, grey
HabitatConiferous forests, spruce plantations, urban landscapes with conifers
Geographic RangeNorth America (primarily Canada and northern United States)
Host PlantsSpruce (Picea spp.), Fir (Abies spp.), Pine (Pinus spp.)
Flight PeriodJune to August
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid on conifer needles, and larvae hatch to mine inside the needles, causing damage. Pupation occurs in cocoons on needles or bark, typically with one generation per year.
Identification TipsDistinguished by its small size, characteristic mottled brown and white cryptic wing pattern, and its association with conifer trees, particularly spruce, where its larvae are needle miners.
Description
A small, slender moth with a cryptic pattern of mottled brown, white, and grey scales on its forewings, often with darker spots and streaks, providing camouflage against bark or needles.
