Bucculatrix enceliae

Description

Bucculatrix enceliae is a moth in the Bucculatricidae family. It is found in North America, where it has been recorded from California and Arizona. The wingspan is 7–9 mm. The forewings are white, with dark brown-tipped scales, and with a more general dusting of paler minutely brown-tipped scales, especially in the apical half of the wing. The hindwings are pale greyish or whitish ocherous. Adults have been recorded on wing from April to May. The larvae feed on Encelia farinosa. They mine the leaves of their host plant. The mine is short and more or less contorted. The larvae leave the mine to feed externally, skeletonizing irregular patches, with the upper epidermis remaining intact. Pupation takes place in a cocoon which is usually spun on the upper side of the leaf.