Amber-marked Birch Leaf Miner
Profenusa thomsoni
This record describes Profenusa thomsoni (species). Recorded family: Tenthredinidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Introduced to NA early 1900s; spread westward, reached AB by 1970, reached Anchorage, AK ca. 1996
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Family
- Tenthredinidae (Common Sawflies)
- Subfamily
- Heterarthrinae
- Tribe
- Fenusini
- Genus
- Profenusa
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
native to, and widespread across the Palaearctic , adventive in NA and now transcontinental in the north
Seasonal Activity
Late May to Jul, may continue to emerge late into Aug
Diet and Behavior
Diet: hosts: primarily, Betulaceae, common on a number of birch species ( Betula )
Life History
Adults lay eggs in the leaf tissues. The larvae mine the leaves, forming light-colored blotch mines. Up to 40 larvae were found in a single mine. When all the leaf tissue is mined, regardless of the larvae age, they vacate the mine and drop to the ground. Only the latter part of the 5th instar enter the soil the survive. ( 3 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Profenusa thomsoni (Konow 1886)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Profenusa thomsoni. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hymenoptera includes over 150,000 described species of ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies. Earth harbors approximately 20 quadrillion (20×10^15) ants, with a combined biomass of ~12 megatons of dry carbon - exceeding the combined biomass of all wild birds and mammals (PNAS, 2022).
Ecological role of the group
About 35% of the world's food crops depend on animal pollinators. The chocolate industry, valued at over $100 billion, depends on pollinating flies and midges. Ants are the dominant soil engineers in most terrestrial ecosystems, turning more soil than earthworms in many habitats.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Pollinators contribute $235-577 billion worth of annual global food production (FAO). In the U.S., bee pollination alone benefits crops valued at $18 billion annually, and honey bees are responsible for $5.4 billion in agricultural productivity. Between April 2023-2024, 55.1% of managed honey bee colonies were lost. The U.S. bee population dropped from 5 million to 2.5 million.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, USDA, EPA, PNAS (2022), US Fish & Wildlife Service. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Amber-marked Birch Leaf Miner (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ken Schneider; Additional contributions by v belov , Marci Hess
Frequently Asked Questions About Amber-marked Birch Leaf Miner
What is Amber-marked Birch Leaf Miner?
Amber-marked Birch Leaf Miner (Profenusa thomsoni) is a species in the family Tenthredinidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Amber-marked Birch Leaf Miner?
4 mm
Where is Amber-marked Birch Leaf Miner found?
Range: native to, and widespread across the Palaearctic , adventive in NA and now transcontinental in the north
What does Amber-marked Birch Leaf Miner eat?
The diet of the Amber-marked Birch Leaf Miner includes hosts: primarily, Betulaceae, common on a number of birch species ( Betula ).
When is Amber-marked Birch Leaf Miner active?
Amber-marked Birch Leaf Miner: seasonal activity - Late May to Jul, may continue to emerge late into Aug.
What is the life cycle of a Amber-marked Birch Leaf Miner?
Adults lay eggs in the leaf tissues. The larvae mine the leaves, forming light-colored blotch mines. Up to 40 larvae were found in a single mine. When all the leaf tissue is mined, regardless of the larvae age, they vacate the mine and drop to the ground. Only the latter part of the 5th instar enter the soil the survive. ( 3 )