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Aspilanta hydrangaeella
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] DistributionA. hydrangaeella can be found in the eastern United States, including Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, and Tennessee.[1][2] _Figures_59%E2%80%9368.jpg) DescriptionAdult 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] References Wikimedia Commons has media related to Aspilanta hydrangaeella.
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