Fauna
Insect · GBIF taxon 1853141

Coconut Leafminer

Agonoxena argaula

Also known as Coconut Flat Moth, Pacific Coconut Flat Moth, Fiji Coconut Moth

Coconut leafminers are slender, buff-colored micro-moths whose larvae feed gregariously on the undersides of palm fronds beneath protective webs of silk. As caterpillars graze away the lower epidermis and parenchyma, damaged leaflets wither into dry, brown streaks that compromise palm photosynthetic vigor. Adults typically rest tightly flattened against leaf midribs or tree trunks during the day, taking flight around dusk to mate and oviposit.

Agricultural PestTropicalPalm Feeder
Coconut Leafminer reference
Licensed reference(c) Mike Bowie, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Mike Bowie · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Coconut palm tissue
  • Pritchardia palm leaves
  • Oil palm leaves
Predators
  • Parasitoid wasps
  • Jumping spiders
  • Ants
ThreatsParasitoid wasps, insect predators, and chemical pest control
HabitatsTropical coastal lowlands, coconut plantations, and island gardens
Life span1–2 months
Classification
  1. FamilyElachistidae
  2. SpeciesAgonoxena argaula
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Frond Inspection: Examine the undersides of mature coconut fronds for thin silk webbing and skeletonized brown patches.
  • Evening Searching: Look for resting adults on lower palm leaf stalks around twilight when moths become active.
Related species
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