| Aspilanta hydrangaeella | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Adult female A. hydrangaeella | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Heliozelidae |
| Genus: | Aspilanta |
| Species: | A. hydrangaeella |
| Binomial name | |
| Aspilanta hydrangaeella (Chambers, 1874) | |
| Synonyms [1] | |
| |
Aspilanta hydrangaeella is a species of moth in the family Heliozelidae. It is found in the United States. The larvae are leaf miners that feed on hydrangea plants. [1] [2] [3]
A. hydrangaeella can be found in the eastern United States, including Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, and Tennessee. [1] [2]
Adult A. hydrangaeella have a wingspan of 5.0–5.8 mm (0.20–0.23 in), with each forewing measuring 2.2–2.8 mm (0.087–0.110 in) in length. [1] Externally, adult A. hydrangaeella are similar to other moths in the genus Aspilanta , but can be differentiated by their antennae - the antennae of A. hydrangaeella have noticeable white tips. [2] [3]
The larvae are colorless or whitish besides their green gut contents, with a dark brown head and prothorax. Darker spots may be visible on some body segments. [1] Their primary host plant is smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens), though larvae can also be found less frequently on snowy hydrangea (Hydrangea radiata). [3]
The leaf mine begins with a long, sometimes contorted linear portion that eventually widens out into an elongate blotch or wide gallery. The frass ranges from green to black in color, and is distributed in a narrow line at the start of the mine but forms a central smear in the larger, later portion of the mine. When mature and ready to pupate, the larvae cut out a 3.5–4.5 mm (0.14–0.18 in) long case from their host leaf, leaving an elliptic hole. [1]
Nepticulidae is a family of very small moths with a worldwide distribution. They are characterised by eyecaps over the eyes. These pigmy moths or midget moths, as they are commonly known, include the smallest of all living moths, with a wingspan that can be as little as 3 mm in the case of the European pigmy sorrel moth, but more usually 3.5–10 mm. The wings of adult moths are narrow and lanceolate, sometimes with metallic markings, and with the venation very simplified compared to most other moths.
The Heliozelidae, commonly known as shield-bearer moths, are a family of small, day flying monotrysian moths distributed worldwide. The larvae of most heliozelid species are leaf miners who cut distinctive shield-shaped cases from the surface of the host leaf, hence the common name. Some species are considered pests of commercial crops such as grapevines, cranberries, and walnuts. The taxonomy of this family is poorly understood.
Ectoedemia minimella is a moth of the family Nepticulidae. It is widely distributed in the Holarctic.
Stigmella populnea is a moth of the family Nepticulidae. It is only known from Hokkaido in Japan.
Stigmella aliena is a moth of the family Nepticulidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has only been observed at Mount Arthur in the north western area of the South Island. This species is known only from the male holotype specimen. The larvae of this species are likely leaf miners, however the biology of this species is currently unknown, as is the female of this species. The adults are on the wing in December.
Stigmella sophorae is a moth of the family Nepticulidae. It is found in New Zealand.
Stigmella tricentra is a moth of the family Nepticulidae. It is found in New Zealand.
Fomoria pteliaeella is a moth of the family Nepticulidae. It is found in Kentucky and Ohio in the United States.
Zimmermannia bosquella is a moth of the family Nepticulidae. It is found in Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky in the United States. It is now classified as conspecific with the American chestnut moth, which was formerly considered as extinct.
Antispila isabella is a species of moth of the family Heliozelidae. It is found in Ontario, Connecticut, Georgia, Kentucky, New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont. However, research concludes that a complex of species is involved under this name.
Antispila hydrangifoliella is a moth of the family Heliozelidae. It was described by Kuroko in 1961. It is found in Japan (Kyushu).
Holocacista micrarcha is a moth of the family Heliozelidae. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1926. It is found in India.
Antispila uenoi is a moth of the family Heliozelidae. It was described by Kuroko in 1987. It is found in Japan. In 2018, the species was found from China.
Antispila kunyuensis is a moth of the family Heliozelidae. It is found in China.
Aspilanta ampelopsifoliella is a species of moth in the family Heliozelidae. It is found in eastern North America. The larvae are leaf miners that feed on Virginia creeper and false Virginia creeper.
Heliozela eugeniella is a species of moth in the family Heliozelidae. It was described by August Busck in 1900 and is known only from Florida.
Aspilanta argentifera is a species of moth in the family Heliozelidae, first described by Annette Frances Braun in 1927. It is found in eastern North America. The larvae are leaf miners that feed on several species of plant in the family Myrtaceae.
Aspilanta oinophylla is a species of moth in the family Heliozelidae. It is native to North America and is an introduced species in Italy. The larvae are leaf miners that feed on several species of Vitaceae, including commercially important species of grapevine.
Aspilanta viticordifoliella is a species of moth in the family Heliozelidae. It is found in Canada and the United States . The larvae are leaf miners that feed on Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Parthenocissus vitacea, and Vitis vulpina.
Aspilanta voraginella is a species of moth in the family Heliozelidae. It is found in the United States. The larvae are leaf miners that feed on Vitis arizonica.