Argyresthia pilatella

Argyresthia pilatella is a moth of the family Yponomeutidae. It is found in North America, including California.

Argyresthia pilatella
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Argyresthiidae
Genus: Argyresthia
Species:
A. pilatella
Binomial name
Argyresthia pilatella
Braun, 1910[1]

The wingspan is 9.5-10.5 mm. The forewings are somewhat shining whitish, almost overlaid with brownish gray scales. The hindwings are silvery gray.[2] Adults are on wing from early March to late June in one generation per year.

The larvae feed on Pinus radiata.[3] Young larvae enter a needle of their host plant above the sheath and starts mining. The second to fifth instars are spent mining in the needle in which the first instar completes development. The fifth instar changes needles, causing it to drop. The sixth- and last-instar larvae abandon the needle. Pupation occurs in a small, white cocoon in the litter.[4]

References
  1. mothphotographersgroup
  2. New species of Tineina from California
  3. HOSTS - a Database of the World's Lepidopteran Hostplants
  4. Life History of the Monterey Pine Needle Miner, Argyresthia pilatella (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae)


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