Amaranthaceae-specialist
Guides
Chrysoesthia sexguttella
Orache Leafminer Moth
Chrysoesthia sexguttella is a small gelechiid moth known as the orache leafminer moth. Adults are active in two generations per year, flying in spring (May–June) and late summer (August–September). The larvae are specialized leaf miners that feed internally on leaves of Chenopodium, Atriplex, and related plants in Amaranthaceae, creating distinctive contorted gallery mines. The species is widespread across Europe and Asia, with introduced populations in northeastern North America.