Kingdom Animalia Class Insecta Family Depressariidae Rank Species | Phylum Arthropoda Order Lepidoptera Genus Rectiostoma | |
Similar Ethmia, Agonopterix, White‑shouldered house mo | ||
The stenomid oak leaf tier (Rectiostoma fernaldella) is a species of moth in the Depressariidae family. It was described by Riley in 1889. It is found in North America, from southern Mexico to the eastern basin and range area in southern Arizona and disjunctly to California. There is also a record for Tennessee.
The wingspan is about 13 mm. Adults have been observed flying in shady areas under oaks during midday. There is a single annual generation in California, with adults on wing in May, June and July.
The larvae feed on Quercus agrifolia, Quercus wislizenii, Quercus dumosa, Quercus dumosax engelmanni, Quercus lobata, Quercus suber, Quercus chrysolepis, Quercus dunii, Lithocarpus densiflorus, Chrysolepis chrysophylla and Chrysolepis semipervirens. The larvae utilize shelters made by the preceding generation for overwintering. These shelters consist of two leaves sandwiched together with a thick rim of frass and silk sealing their edges. Within these shelters the larva skeletonize both leaf surfaces.