Leucanthiza dircella
Species of moth
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Leucanthiza dircella is a species of moth in the family Gracillariidae. It is known from Canada (Québec and Ontario), and the United States (including California, Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan, Vermont and Maine).[1][2][3]
| Leucanthiza dircella | |
|---|---|
| |
| Leaf mine of Leucanthiza dircella larvae | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Gracillariidae |
| Genus: | Leucanthiza |
| Species: | L. dircella |
| Binomial name | |
| Leucanthiza dircella Braun, 1914 | |
Life history
A study in northern Michigan determined this species to complete one generation per year.[4] The larvae feed by mining the leaves of Dirca palustris. They are the only known leafminer of this particular host plant.[5]
Multiple species of wasp are known to parasitize Leucanthiza dircella, including members of the genera Pholetesor, Chrysocharis, Closterocerus, Pnigalio, and Sympiesis.[5]
