Madrone (Arbutus)-Leafminer

Madrone shield bearer (Coptodisca arbutiella)
Serpentine leafminer (Marmara arbutiella)

Description, biology and damage The serpentine madrone miner adult is a tiny (about 0.2-inch wingspan) moth. Larvae of this leaf- and twig-mining moth blaze sinuous, serpentine mines across the surface of leaves. Although damage might be unsightly on individual leaves, they do not affect the long-term health of the tree. This moth affects madrone throughout its range. The madrone shield bearer forms small dark areas on the upper leaf surface. When ready to pupate, the larvae cut two oval pieces of leaves (upper and lower leaf surface), stitches them together with silk, and moves with this case to a protected location and pupates within. The adult moth is gray with three horizontal stripes and has a 0.3-inch wingspan. These two insects generally occur in low numbers. Occasionally, there is a flare-up in either population that crashes by the next season due to natural controls.

Pest monitoring Leafminers usually are scattered in low numbers throughout the trees. Usually, only a few mines are found.

Management-cultural control

Remove infested leaves if they are bothersome; or tolerate minor blemishes that do not harm the tree.

Management-chemical control

See Table 3 in: