Moths of North Carolina
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View PDFHeliozelidae Members:
Coptodisca Members:
14 NC Records

Coptodisca diospyriella (Chambers, 1874) - Persimmon Leaf Miner


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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Adeloidea Family: HeliozelidaeP3 Number: 210086.00 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 Photographs: 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)

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