This species may be a synonym of Coptotriche (=Tischeria) zelleriella.
Everything depends on the taxonomy. Annette Braun, who named it, considered it distinct and was an authority on this group. Current opinion seems to be largely that it probably is not a valid taxon. Either this is a severely reduced or extinct species, or a mere synonym of a fairly common one. As David Wagner points out for a species of this group to be a chestnut specialist would be remarkable. All of the other five Coptotriche that use chestnut also use oaks.
This alleged taxon is reported only from Falls Church, Virginia. No reports in over 50 years.
Survey of Leafminers on American Chestnut and other Castanea spp. (Fagales: Fagaceae) on Long Island, NY.
Of the 3 species listed by Opler (1978) as possibly extinct that have not been rediscovered or determined to be synonymous with species feeding on other hosts, only Coptotriche perplexa (Braun) is a leafminer. The other 2, Argyresthia castaneella Busck and Zimmermannia phleophaga (Busck), feed in bark (Busck 1915, Eiseman 2022). The larva of Z. phleophaga feeds near the cambium forming a serpentine mine that is not externally visible until after the larva exits and the bark over the tunnel begins to swell (Eiseman 2022).
