Antispila spp. are very small blackish-brown moths with metallic markings. A number of species are common in central Illinois. The larva of A. hydrangaeella (Fig. 1) is a leaf miner on wild hydrangea, Hydrangea arborescens (Hydrangeaceae). There is one larva per leaf mine, and usually one mine (but occasionally several) per leaf. Antispila cornifoliella (Fig. 2) mines the leaves of dogwood, Cornus (Cornaceae), and A. viticordifoliella (Fig. 3) feeds on grape, Vitis (Vitaceae). All of these species undergo two generations per year in Illinois. A second grape-feeding species, A. isabella, also is known from Illinois. Additional Antispila, including species that feed on Ampelopsis (Vitaceae) and Nyssa (Cornaceae), respectively, very probably occur within Illinois. van Nieukerken et al. (2012) provided a review of North American Vitaceae-feeding species of Antispila, including the description of one new species.
Figure 1. Antispila hydrangaeella. Adult, and leaf mine on wild hydrangea, Hydrangea arborescens (Hydrangeaceae).
Figure 2. Antispila cornifoliella. Adult, and leaf mines on dogwood, Cornus sp. (Cornaceae).
Figure 3. Antispila viticordifoliella. Adult, and leaf mine on grape, Vitis sp. (Vitaceae).