Argyresthia picea

Argyresthia picea
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Argyresthiidae
Genus:	Argyresthia
Species:	A. picea
Binomial name
Argyresthia picea Freeman, 1972[1]

Argyresthia picea is a moth of the family Yponomeutidae. It is found in Canada, including Alberta, Ontario, Quebec and the Yukon.[2]

The larvae feed on Picea glauca.[3]

Distribution

The bud and twig miner Argyresthia picea Freeman has been found on white spruce in Yukon Territory, Ontario, and southern Quebec, but has not caused serious damage (Rose and Lindquist 1985).[4] The larva overwinters in the bud. In the spring, when full-grown, the larva is about 5 mm long and cream coloured, with blackish head and legs. It pupates in the mined tips from mid-May to late June, and the tiny adult emerges shortly thereafter from a silk-covered hole in or below the base of the dead bud. One generation is completed each year.

References

1. mothphotographersgroup
2. The Coniferous feeding species of Argyresthia in Canada (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae)
3. HOSTS - a Database of the World's Lepidopteran Hostplants
4. Rose, A.H.; Lindquist, O.H. 1985. Insects of eastern spruces, fir and, hemlock, revised edition. Gov’t Can., Can. For. Serv., Ottawa, For. Tech. Rep. 23. 159 p. (cited in Coates et al. 1994, cited orig ed 1977)