Longisacca Leaf Miner Moth
Common NameLongisacca Leaf Miner Moth
Scientific NameStigmella longisacca
FamilyNepticulidae
SubfamilyNepticulinae
Wingspan (mm)4
Primary Colorsdark brown, black, silver, white
HabitatOak forests, woodlands, parks, and areas where host Quercus species are present.
Geographic RangeEastern North America (USA: Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia).
Host PlantsQuercus alba, Quercus stellata, Quercus marilandica, Quercus velutina
Flight PeriodAdults typically fly from May to September, with multiple generations per year.
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid on oak leaves, and the larva mines within the leaf tissue, creating the characteristic serpentine trail. Pupation occurs outside the mine, often in a cocoon on the ground or in leaf litter.
Identification TipsThe leaf mine is a key identifier: a long, narrow, winding mine on oak leaves, gradually widening, with a distinct central frass line. Adult moths are identified by their minute size (3-5mm wingspan) and specific wing patterns, including a pale fascia.
Description
The image displays a serpentine leaf mine on a green oak leaf, characterized by a narrow, winding trail that gradually widens, filled with a central line of frass. The adult moth is a tiny, dark micromoth, typically brownish-black with a pale transverse band on its forewings.
