Tupelo Leafminer Moth
Common NameTupelo Leafminer Moth
Scientific NameAntispila nyssaefoliella
FamilyHeliozelidae
Wingspan (mm)5
Wing Patternsolid
Primary Colorsdark brown, metallic sheen
HabitatForests, swamps, and wetlands where tupelo trees grow
Geographic RangeEastern North America
Host PlantsNyssa sylvatica, Nyssa aquatica
Flight PeriodMay to July
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae create distinctive blotch mines on tupelo leaves, feeding between the upper and lower epidermis. When mature, the larva cuts an oval case from the leaf mine, drops to the ground, and pupates within this case.
Identification TipsIdentification is primarily by the characteristic blotch mines on tupelo leaves, which often have a circular cutout where the larva exited. The adult moth is very small and dark, making it difficult to identify without specialized knowledge.
Description
A minute, dark brown moth, often with a metallic sheen, that is rarely seen due to its small size and cryptic nature.
