SOLITARY OAK LEAFMINER
Cameraria hamadryadella

GREGARIOUS OAK LEAFMINER
Cameraria Cincinnatiella

Importance. -- These leafminers occur over much of the East. They attack various oaks, but prefer the white oak group. Heavy infestations cause browning and premature dropping of foliage -- sometimes over large areas.

Identifying the Insect. -- Adults and larvae of both species are similar. Young larvae are flat and taper toward the rear, and are about .25 inch (6 mm) long at maturity. Adults are pale and silvery moths with bronze patches on the wings.

Identifying the Injury. -- Larvae of the solitary oak leafminer feed singly, forming irregular, blotch-like mines just below the upper leaf surface; a single leaf may contain several contiguous mines (figure 11). Larvae of the gregarious oak leafminer feed together, forming large mines.

Biology. -- The winter is spent in the larval stage in leaves on the ground. Adult moths emerge during the spring and females lay eggs on the leaves. There are two to several generations per year.

Control. -- Rake fallen leaves promptly and burn them to destroy pupae in cocoons. Natural enemies are helpful. Chemical control is occasionally needed.

Figure 11. -- Leafmines caused by the solitary oak leafminer.