Madrone Skin Miner
Common NameMadrone Skin Miner
Scientific NamePhyllonorycter arbutusella
FamilyGracillariidae
SubfamilyLithocolletinae
Wingspan (mm)7
Primary Colorsbrown, gold, white
HabitatForests, woodlands, and chaparral where Madrone trees are present
Geographic RangeWestern North America (California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia)
Host PlantsMadrone (Arbutus species)
Flight PeriodMultiple generations, adults fly from April to October
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid on the underside of Madrone leaves. Larvae tunnel and feed within the leaf tissue, creating distinctive mines. Pupation occurs within the mine, often in a silken cocoon.
Identification TipsIdentification is primarily by the distinctive silvery-white, winding leaf mines on Madrone leaves. Adult moths are very small and require magnification for species-level identification, often featuring metallic markings.
Description
The image displays the characteristic serpentine and blotch leaf mines created by the larva of the Madrone Skin Miner moth on a Madrone leaf. The adult moth is a tiny microlepidopteran, typically brown and gold with intricate wing patterns.
