Ectoedemia populella

Description

The poplar petiole gall moth (Ectoedemia populella) is a moth of the Nepticulidae family. It is found in North America, including Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Ohio. The wingspan is 7-8.5 mm. The larvae make petiole-galls in several Populus species. The gall is almost globular, of about the size of a pea, and is a swelling of the petiole close to the leaf. It is somewhat rugose (wrinkled) longitudinally and of a grayish color. The course of the petiole is generally very distinct along its upper side, being smooth and of a reddish-brown or yellowish color. The cavity is more or less irregular on account of the woody fibers, which run through the walls of the gall and which are not eaten by the larva.