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Maple Trumpet Skeletonizer – Calastega aceriella

Written by Amisha on .

Maple Trumpet Skeletonizer– Caloptilia acerisella Common Name: Maple Trumpet Skeletonizer Latin Name: Caloptilia acerisella Appearance: The Maple Trumpet Skeletonizer is a small moth with a wingspan of approximately 1 cm. Its wings are narrow and pointed, with a yellowish-brown color and darker markings.
  • Egg:The eggs of Maple Trumpet Skeletonizer are tiny, flat, and oval-shaped, usually laid on the underside of leaves in clusters of 10-20.
  • Pupae:Maple Trumpet Skeletonizer’s pupae are brown and found on the underside of leaves or in leaf litter.
  • Larva:The larvae of Maple Trumpet Skeletonizer are tiny, yellowish-green caterpillars that can grow up to 0.6 cm in length. They have black heads and feed on the underside of leaves, causing a skeletonized appearance.
  • Adults:The adults of Maple Trumpet Skeletonizer are tiny, brownish-yellow moths with narrow, pointed wings. They are most commonly seen flying around maple trees in the spring and early summer.
Host plants: The Maple Trumpet Skeletonizer feeds on various species of maple trees, including sugar maple, red maple, and silver maple. Territory: The Maple Trumpet Skeletonizer is found throughout eastern North America, from Nova Scotia to Florida and west to Minnesota and Texas. Damages caused by Maple Trumpet Skeletonizer: The Maple Trumpet Skeletonizer larvae feed on the underside of leaves, causing a skeletonized appearance. This can weaken the tree and make it more susceptible to other pests and diseases. Heavy infestations can defoliate trees, leading to reduced growth and production. Life history and Habits: The Maple Trumpet Skeletonizer has one generation per year. The adults emerge from late April to early May and lay eggs on the underside of maple leaves. The larvae hatch and feed on the leaves for about four weeks before pupating. The pupae overwinter and emerge as adults in the spring. Maple Trumpet Skeletonizer larvae are most commonly found in late May and early June. Control measures include pruning affected branches, using insecticidal soap, and releasing natural predators such as parasitic wasps.