Allium-specialist
Guides
Acrolepiopsis
Acrolepiopsis is a genus of small moths in the family Glyphipterigidae, established by Gaedike in 1970. The genus includes approximately six described species in North America and additional species in Europe and Asia. Several species are economically significant agricultural pests, notably Acrolepiopsis assectella (leek moth) and A. sapporensis (Asiatic onion leafminer), which specialize on Allium species including onion, garlic, and leek. The genus has been subject to taxonomic revision, with DNA barcoding data supporting species-level distinctions.
Acrolepiopsis assectella
Leek Moth, Onion Leaf Miner
Acrolepiopsis assectella, commonly known as the leek moth or onion leaf miner, is a specialist herbivore native to Europe and Siberia that has become an invasive pest in North America. It is a significant agricultural pest of Allium crops including garlic, leek, onion, and chives, capable of causing up to 40% crop damage. The species has expanded its range from initial detections in the Ottawa area in 1993 to much of eastern Canada and the northeastern United States. Its life cycle is temperature-dependent, with 1–3 generations per year possible depending on climate.
Phytomyza gymnostoma
onion leaf miner, allium leafminer
Phytomyza gymnostoma is a leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, commonly known as the onion leaf miner or allium leafminer. Native to mainland Europe, it has established invasive populations in England (first detected 2002) and North America (first detected December 2015 in Pennsylvania). The species is a significant agricultural pest specializing in Allium crops, including onions, garlic, shallots, and leeks. It is bivoltine, producing two generations annually, with adults active during spring and fall flight periods.