Moths of North Carolina
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Coptodisca Members:
21 NC Records

Coptodisca diospyriella (Chambers, 1874) - Persimmon Leaf Miner

Coptodisca diospyriellaCoptodisca diospyriellaCoptodisca diospyriella
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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Adeloidea Family: HeliozelidaeP3 Number: 21a0090 MONA Number: 244.00
Comments: This New World genus includes 18 described North American species of small leaf-mining moths, as well as several undescribed species. When mature, the larva cuts a disc of tissue out of the leaf and uses it to form a cocoon. All known species of Coptodisca feed on woody plants, and most are restricted to a single plant genus.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Chambers, 1874. Technical Description, Immature Stages: Eiseman, 2019                                                                                 
Adult Markings: The head, thorax, and ground color of the forewings is silvery white with a faint golden-yellow tinge just before the paired costal streaks. At about three-fourths the wing length there is a matched pair of white, triangular-shaped costal and dorsal streaks with black borders. The dorsal streak is slightly anterior to the costal streak, and both curve slightly posteriorly. A light golden-yellow patch occurs immediately posterior to the costal streak. Posterior to the dorsal streak is an extensive zone of blackish scales that fades into the fringe. A large, fan-shaped apical patch occurs at the end of the wing that contrasts with the surrounding whitish cilia. This species has wing patterning that is similar to several closely related Coptodisca that are host-specific. Remarkably few specimens have been collected or reared since the species was described by Chambers in 1874, and there is much to learn about phenotypic variation within the species. Male genitalia of Coptodisca are difficult to dissect and embed in a fixed position. However, reliable identification can be achieved by rearing adults from their host plants or through DNA analysis.
Immatures and Development: The larvae make a very short linear blotch or blotch mines on persimmon leaves. When mature, the larva cuts out an oval pupal case, which leaves a characteristic oval opening in the leaf.
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Scattered populations of Coptodisca diospyriella have been found in the eastern US, including in New Jersey, Maryland, Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, Alabama and Florida (Eiseman, 2019). As of 2023, we have only a few records for the state that are all based on leaf mines from the eastern Piedmont and Coastal Plain.
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: The flight season is poorly documented. Individuals appear to be on the wing primarily during the summer months. We have occupied leaf mine from mid-May, which suggests that the adults emerge as early as the first week of May in North Carolina.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Populations in North Carolina use American Persimmon. This species is often found along fencerows, forest edges, or in abandoned fields, but also occurs in bottomland, and in mesic to dry forests.
Larval Host Plants: Larvae are leaf miners of American Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) (Robinson et al., 2010; Eiseman, 2019). - View
Observation Methods: We recommend collecting leaf mines from persimmons and rearing the adults. This is the only Coptodisca that mines persimmons in North Carolina, so any mine found on this species can be reliably assigned to C. diospyriella
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for Persimmon Copses
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: [GNR] S2S4
State Protection:
Comments:

 Photo Gallery for Coptodisca diospyriella - Persimmon Leaf Miner

Photos: 27

Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-10-17
Montgomery Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-10-16
Rowan Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-09-08
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-09-01
Brunswick Co.
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Recorded by: Dean Furbish, Lior S. Carlson on 2024-08-12
Pamlico Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2024-07-20
Wake Co.
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Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2024-07-15
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2024-07-15
Mecklenburg Co.
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Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2024-07-15
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2024-06-21
Chatham Co.
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Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2023-10-26
Pender Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2023-10-26
Pender Co.
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Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2023-09-01
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: F. Williams, S. Williams on 2023-07-15
Gates Co.
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Recorded by: R. Newman on 2023-07-07
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Becky Watkins on 2023-07-04
Orange Co.
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Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2023-07-02
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2023-07-02
Wake Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Bo Sullivan on 2023-05-17
Moore Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Bo Sullivan on 2023-05-17
Moore Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2022-09-13
Onslow Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2022-09-12
Wake Co.
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Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2022-09-12
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2022-07-15
Wake Co.
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Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2022-07-15
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2021-08-09
Richmond Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2021-08-09
Richmond Co.
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