Moths of North Carolina
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2 NC Records

Stigmella argentifasciella (Braun, 1912) - No Common Name

Stigmella argentifasciellaStigmella argentifasciella
Taxonomy
Family: NepticulidaeP3 Number: 16a0054 MONA Number: 105.00
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Braun (1917); Newton and Wilkinson (1982)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Braun (1917); Eiseman (2022)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: The following detailed description is based on that of Braun (1912; 1917) and Newton and Wilkinson (1982). The palps and antennae are black, while the head tuft is ocherous in the front and darker posteriorly. The antennal eye-caps are shining silvery white, while the collar behind the head is dark brown. The thorax and abdomen are very dark brown, with the thorax often having gold and purple reflections.

The forewing ground is dark brown with metallic or bronzy reflections and is overlain with three brilliant silvery fasciae, with the most posterior one often reduced to a large spot. The first fascia is at the basal fifth of the wing and broadens as it nears the dorsum. The second occurs at the middle of the wing and also broadens dorsally; in some individuals it may appear wedge-shaped with the base resting on the inner margin. The last mark is a patch of silvery scales at the apex that vary in their degree of expression. In some specimens the patch extends from the costa around the apex, then broadens towards the tornus. It also may be connected to the medial fascia by a few silvery scales that extend along the inner margin. In other instances, the patch may be reduced to a large spot at the tornus. The color of the fasciae can vary depending on the viewing angle, and appear to be either silvery white or a metallic pale blue. The hindwing is dark brown, and the cilia of both wings are also dark brown.

Newton and Wilkinson (1982) noted that the brilliant reflections of the forewing markings and the abdominal patches on the males (see below) are useful in separating S. argentifasciella from other Stigmella in North America.
Forewing Length: 4.2-4.6 mm for males (N = 4) and 3.6-4.8 mm for females (N = 12; Newton and Wilkinson, 1982).
Adult Structural Features: Newton and Wilkinson (1982) noted that the abdomen of males has lunulate patches of heavily sclerotized scales dorsally on segments VI, VII and VIII. They also provide descriptions and illustrations of the male and female genitalia, and note that the form of the valve and vinculum are diagnostic for this species.
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The larvae mine the leaves of American Basswood. Females deposit their eggs singly to the upper surfaces of leaves and the younger instars initially produce a very narrow serpentine mine, with the width typically < 0.6 mm and the length from 3.5-4.0 cm. The larvae initially mine deep within the parenchyma below the epidermis so that the linear portion of the mine is rather faint and greenish. The later instars rapidly expand the mine into a prominent, semi-transparent, pale-green blotch that in some instances may obliterate much of the linear portion of the mine. The frass is deposited within the blotch in sinuous curves. The last instar exits through the lower epidermis and spins a somewhat flattened reddish cocoon that is broader at its anterior end (Braun, 1917; Newton and Wilkinson, 1982; Eiseman, 2022).
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Stigmella argentifasciella has northern affinities, with the primary range including the New England states and southern Ontario southward through New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia to as far south as western North Carolina. A possible disjunct group also occurs in Minnesota. As of 2024, our two records are both from Buncombe County in the Blue Ridge.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Flight Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge
Immature Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge
Flight Comments: Braun (1915) noted that populations in Kentucky and Ohio produce two or three generations a year, with the larvae becoming fully grown toward the end of June, in August and the latter part of September.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: This species is typically associated with mesic, rich woods where American Basswood is present.
Larval Host Plants: The larvae are leaf-miners that have only been observed feeding in American Basswood (Tilia americana; Forbes, 1923). - View
Observation Methods: Local populations are best documented by searching for the mines on American Basswood. Adult photographs are needed and we encourage individuals to rear and photograph the adults.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR [S2S3]
State Protection:
Comments: This appears to be a rare to uncommon species that reaches its southernmost limits in western North Carolina. As of 2024, we have only two site records and both are from mesic forests in Buncombe County.

 Photo Gallery for Stigmella argentifasciella - No common name

Photos: 3

Recorded by: tom ward on 2022-07-09
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2022-07-08
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2022-07-08
Buncombe Co.
Comment: