Oak Blotch Miner - Hodges#0144
Tischeria quercitella
This record describes Tischeria quercitella (species). Recorded family: Tischeriidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
From Microleps.org found here : Tischeria quercitella (Fig. 1) makes a distinctive upperside blotch mine on oaks of the black oak group. According to Braun (1972), it is the only species of the oak-feeding group that constructs a nidus (the circular, central part of the mine seen in Fig. 1) as a pupal chamber within the mine. In the adult, the patch of blackish scales at the tornus of the forewing is diagnostic for T. quercitella, among Fagaceae-feeding tischeriid species that occur in Illinois. Genitalia:
Wikipedia reference for Tischeria quercitella: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tischeria_quercitella.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Tischerioidea
- Family
- Tischeriidae (Trumpet Leafminer Moths)
- Genus
- Tischeria
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
widespread in eastern NA
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Constructs a silken nest or nidus that shelters it while is pupates. ( 4 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Tischeria quercitella. 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 Oak Blotch Miner - Hodges#0144 (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Marci Hess , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Oak Blotch Miner - Hodges#0144
What is Oak Blotch Miner - Hodges#0144?
Oak Blotch Miner - Hodges#0144 (Tischeria quercitella) is a species in the family Tischeriidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How do you identify Oak Blotch Miner - Hodges#0144?
From Microleps.org found here : Tischeria quercitella (Fig. 1) makes a distinctive upperside blotch mine on oaks of the black oak group. According to Braun (1972), it is the only species of the oak-feeding group that constructs a nidus (the circular, central part of the mine seen in Fig. 1) as a pupal chamber within the mine. In the adult, the patch of blackish scales at the tornus of the forewing is diagnostic for T. quercitella, among Fagaceae-feeding tischeriid species that occur in Illinois. Genitalia:
Where is Oak Blotch Miner - Hodges#0144 found?
Range: widespread in eastern NA
What is the life cycle of a Oak Blotch Miner - Hodges#0144?
Constructs a silken nest or nidus that shelters it while is pupates. ( 4 )