Chinquapin Leaf-miner Moth - Hodges#0003
Dyseriocrania griseocapitella
This record describes Dyseriocrania griseocapitella (species). Recorded family: Eriocraniidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Genitalia: Larva - head pale brown to yellow, thorax dark brown, abdomen whitish except for a pair of minute, longitudinal, brownish spots on the anal segment
Wikipedia reference for Dyseriocrania griseocapitella: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyseriocrania_griseocapitella.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Eriocranioidea
- Family
- Eriocraniidae (Eriocraniid Moths)
- Genus
- Dyseriocrania
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Heppner reported the range to include Nova Scotia to Florida, Michigan to Texas.
Seasonal Activity
The adults appear to be most common during the months of February to July. Heppner reported February to March in Florida.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Heppner reported the following host plants. Castanea dentata C. mollissima C. pumila Quercus alba Q. borealis Q. falcata Q. velutina
Life History
eggs are inserted singly near the edge of young leaves of oak and chestnut before the leaves have fully opened. Eggs hatch in 7 to 15 days. The mine is a narrow, linear passage extending toward the leaf margin. This early stage of the mine is usually obliterated as the mine is enlarged and often causes a characteristic fissure to form eventually in the leaf. Immediately following the serpentine stage, the mine broadens to form a large, somewhat inflated blotch. Larva usually sweeps in small circles of 5 mm or more radius in feeding, with its anal end functioning as a pivot. The final outline of the mine often results from a series of these semicircles marked by a series of fine, concentric curved lines. The blotch becomes full depth and semitransparent. Consequently, the larva and its dark frass may be easily observed. After feeding for 7 to 10 days the larva drops to the ground and burrows into the soil as deep as 12 inches. A relatively tough oval cocoon measuring approximately 3 mm long and 2 mm in diameter is spun of silk and small particles of soil. The larva diapauses inside this cocoon for several months and pupates in winter. After emerging from the ground, the pupa remains quiescent for an indefinite period until final ecdysis can be performed. Rather soon after emerging from the pupal shell, the adult is capable of flight [Randy Hardy]
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Dyseriocrania griseocapitella. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Chinquapin Leaf-miner Moth - Hodges#0003 (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jeff Hollenbeck; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , marcie oconnor , Randy Hardy , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Chinquapin Leaf-miner Moth - Hodges#0003
What is Chinquapin Leaf-miner Moth - Hodges#0003?
Chinquapin Leaf-miner Moth - Hodges#0003 (Dyseriocrania griseocapitella) is a species in the family Eriocraniidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Chinquapin Leaf-miner Moth - Hodges#0003?
Wingspan is 9-13 mm. Larva to 10 mm.
How do you identify Chinquapin Leaf-miner Moth - Hodges#0003?
Genitalia: Larva - head pale brown to yellow, thorax dark brown, abdomen whitish except for a pair of minute, longitudinal, brownish spots on the anal segment
Where is Chinquapin Leaf-miner Moth - Hodges#0003 found?
Range: Heppner reported the range to include Nova Scotia to Florida, Michigan to Texas.
What does Chinquapin Leaf-miner Moth - Hodges#0003 eat?
The diet of the Chinquapin Leaf-miner Moth - Hodges#0003 includes Heppner reported the following host plants. Castanea dentata C. mollissima C. pumila Quercus alba Q. borealis Q. falcata Q. velutina.
When is Chinquapin Leaf-miner Moth - Hodges#0003 active?
Chinquapin Leaf-miner Moth - Hodges#0003: seasonal activity - The adults appear to be most common during the months of February to July. Heppner reported February to March in Florida..
What is the life cycle of a Chinquapin Leaf-miner Moth - Hodges#0003?
eggs are inserted singly near the edge of young leaves of oak and chestnut before the leaves have fully opened. Eggs hatch in 7 to 15 days. The mine is a narrow, linear passage extending toward the leaf margin. This early stage of the mine is usually obliterated as the mine is enlarged and often causes a characteristic fissure to form eventually in the leaf. Immediately following the serpentine stage, the mine broadens to form a large, somewhat inflated blotch. Larva usually sweeps in small circles of 5 mm or more radius in feeding, with its anal end functioning as a pivot. The final outline of the mine often results from a series of these semicircles marked by a series of fine, concentric curved lines. The blotch becomes full depth and semitransparent. Consequently, the larva and its dark frass may be easily observed. After feeding for 7 to 10 days the larva drops to the ground and burrows into the soil as deep as 12 inches. A relatively tough oval cocoon measuring approximately 3 mm long and 2 mm in diameter is spun of silk and small particles of soil. The larva diapauses inside this cocoon for several months and pupates in winter. After emerging from the ground, the pupa remains quiescent for an indefinite period until final ecdysis can be performed. Rather soon after emerging from the pupal shell, the adult is capable of flight [Randy Hardy]