Numbers
the only species in this genus in North America
Size
adult body less than 10 mm
Identification
Adult: forewing metallic blue with black area at wingtip; head orange or yellowish
Larva: thorax brownish; head black; abdomen mostly clear or translucent whitish, allowing blackish innards to be seen through the surface
Range
southeastern Canada and northeastern US, south to the tip of the Appalachians (western North Carolina and perhaps northwestern Georgia)
Habitat
woodlands, parks etc. where the host plant (maple) grows
Season
adults fly from April to June
larvae found June through September
Food
larvae feed on the leaves of maple and sometimes birch (older larvae cut two circular portions of leaf and sew them together as a portable case)
Life Cycle
one generation per year; overwinters as a pupa on the ground inside the case made previously as a larva from two portions of maple leaf; adults emerge in spring and eggs are laid on maple leaves
Internet References
live adult image and photos of larva, pupa, leaf damage, plus biology info (Canadian Forest Service, Natural Resources Canada)
larva and pupa info (Insects of Cedar Creek, Minnesota)
common name reference (NHIC, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources)
