Stigmella hoheriae Donner & Wilkinson, 1989. Endemic.
It can be found in native forest and forest margins. Leaf mines can be found from April to October, adults mainly from August to November. The adults are rarely seen as they usually fly by day and are tiny so are inconspicuous in flight, but they can sometimes be tapped out of their host plants on warm humid days.
The eggs are laid on the surface of a young expanding lacebark (Hoheria) leaf and the larva tunnels into the leaf, making a conspicuous white translucent leaf-mine, leaving a thin blackish trail of frass behind it. When full fed, it leaves the leaf through a semicircular slit and drops to the ground to pupate in a fluffy white cocoon.
Forewing | 2-5 mm |
---|---|
Antennae | short |
Resting posture | body horizontal, wings roof-like |