Bucculatrix agnella

Description

Bucculatrix agnella is a moth in the family Bucculatricidae. It is found in North America, where it has been recorded in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Washington D.C., Massachusetts, Indiana, Tennessee, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, South Dakota, Maine, Ohio and Texas. The wingspan is about 7 mm. The forewings are white, dusted with pale luteous scales. The markings are formed by oblique streaks of blackish- or fuscous-tipped scales. The hindwings are whitish. Adults have been recorded on wing from April to May and from July to September. The larvae feed on Ambrosia artemisiifolia. They mine the leaves of their host plant. The mine is very fine and mostly follows the extreme margin of the leaf. Later instars live freely, skeletonizing the leaf and later consuming the entire leaf in irregular patches. Last instar larvae are dark reddish brown. Pupation takes place in a slender, dirty pinkish cocoon.