Mine on Mirabilis jalapa - Bucculatrix? - Aetole tripunctella

Moved

… Charley Eiseman, 11 August, 2015 - 3:32pm

A Bucculatrix cocoon, yes...

...but no Bucculatrix is known from Mirabilis, and these don't resemble Bucculatrix mines. Bucculatrix larvae often wander from their host plants before spinning cocoons.

My guess for these is Aetole tripunctella, which is known from Oklahoma. Mirabilis jalapa would be a new host record for any leafminer, I think.

… Charley Eiseman, 28 July, 2015 - 4:39pm

A wasp emerged from the cocoon

Are there any oaks overhead / nearby? Other native plants that might have been the source of the Bucculatrix? (Many of those that aren't on oaks and related trees are on Asteraceae...)

… Charley Eiseman, 7 August, 2015 - 6:44pm

Quercus

Yes, Quercus stellata pretty much overhead.

… Michael W. Palmer, 7 August, 2015 - 6:47pm

Braconid

Suspiciously similar to this one:

… Charley Eiseman, 17 January, 2016 - 2:21pm

Elegant

At least 3 more similar ones emerged from another bulk Dichanthelium collection, though one got away.

… Michael W. Palmer, 17 January, 2016 - 2:53pm