Arbutus
Guides
Acrocercops arbutella
Acrocercops arbutella is a small moth in the family Gracillariidae, first described by Braun in 1925. The species is endemic to Arizona, United States, where it occurs on its host plant Arbutus arizonica. Larvae are leaf miners that create distinctive upper surface blotch mines on the leaves of their host.
Coptodisca arbutiella
madrone shield bearer
Coptodisca arbutiella, commonly known as the madrone shield bearer, is a small moth in the family Heliozelidae. It was first described by August Busck in 1904. The species is restricted to western North America and is tightly associated with Arbutus host plants. Its larvae are leaf miners that produce distinctive blotch-like mines.
Etainia thoraceleuca
Etainia thoraceleuca is a North American moth in the family Nepticulidae, described in 2024 as the second native American species in the genus. It is known from light-collected adults across California, Arizona, and Ontario, Canada. The species is a specialist feeder on Ericaceae, with larvae making short leafmines on Arbutus and Arctostaphylos species before continuing development in stems and branches. It is sister to the European species E. albibimaculella.
Eupithecia classicata
Eupithecia classicata is a geometrid moth described by Pearsall in 1909. It occurs in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, specifically in Arizona and Durango. The species belongs to the 'pug' moths, a group recognized by their narrow wings and distinctive resting posture. Larvae feed on Arbutus arizonica flowers or leaf buds. Adults have been observed visiting apple flowers, suggesting a potential role in nocturnal pollination.
Neophyllura arbuticola
Arizona Madrone Psyllid
Neophyllura arbuticola is a psyllid species in the family Liviidae, first described by Crawford in 1914. The species is associated with madrone (Arbutus) host plants, as indicated by its specific epithet. It is known from limited observations in Arizona. The genus Neophyllura comprises psyllids that feed on various host plants, though species-level biological details remain poorly documented for many members.
Wahlgreniella nervata
Strawberry Tree Aphid
Wahlgreniella nervata is an aphid species in the family Aphididae, commonly known as the Strawberry Tree Aphid. The species has been documented in Europe and South America, with observations concentrated on cultivated and ornamental plants. It is associated with plants in the genus Arbutus, particularly Arbutus unedo (strawberry tree). The species was first described by Gillette in 1908.