Aspen
Guides
Acleris fuscana
Small Aspen Leaftier Moth
Acleris fuscana is a small tortricid moth commonly known as the Small Aspen Leaftier Moth. The species has been recorded across northern Europe and North America, with observations concentrated in boreal and hemiboreal regions. It is treated as an ambiguous synonym of Acleris obtusana in some taxonomic sources, reflecting ongoing nomenclatural uncertainty. The common name references larval behavior of tying aspen leaves together.
Acossus populi
aspen carpenterworm
Acossus populi is a moth in the family Cossidae, commonly known as the aspen carpenterworm. The species has a wingspan of 50–68 mm. It is distributed across western North America, including the western United States and parts of Canada. The larvae are specialized feeders on Populus species, particularly trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides). The species was first described by Francis Walker in 1856.
Catocala unijuga
once-married underwing, once-married underwing moth
Catocala unijuga is a large underwing moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Francis Walker in 1858. Adults are characterized by cryptic forewings that conceal brightly patterned hindwings, a trait shared across the genus Catocala. The species is distributed across northern and western North America, with larvae feeding on poplars and willows. Adults fly from July to September in a single annual generation.
Crepidodera nana
tiny aspen flea beetle
Crepidodera nana is a flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, commonly known as the tiny aspen flea beetle. It is native to North America and has been recorded from multiple Canadian provinces including Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba. As a member of the subfamily Galerucinae and tribe Alticini, it possesses the enlarged hind femora characteristic of flea beetles that enable jumping. The species epithet 'nana' refers to its small size.
Dorytomus frostii
Frost's Aspen Weevil
Dorytomus frostii is a true weevil in the family Curculionidae, commonly known as Frost's Aspen Weevil. The species was described in 1916 and occurs in western Canada and potentially broader North American ranges. Like other members of the genus Dorytomus, it is associated with woody plants.
Ectoedemia argyropeza
Virgin Pigmy
A Holarctic microlepidopteran in the family Nepticulidae, characterized by parthenogenetic reproduction with extremely rare males. Adults are active in late spring. Larvae are leaf miners on aspen species, producing distinctive mines that persist on host leaves. The species exhibits clonal population structure with limited dispersal capacity.
Enargia decolor
Pale Enargia, Aspen Twoleaf Tier Moth
A noctuid moth with boreal-transcontinental distribution across North America, primarily associated with trembling aspen and related poplar species. Adults are active in late summer, with larvae capable of reaching outbreak densities that cause extensive defoliation of host stands. The species shows a disjunct western distribution pattern that may represent cryptic diversity.
Gonioctena americana
American Aspen Beetle
Gonioctena americana is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, commonly known as the American aspen beetle. It is native to North America and has been documented in Canada, including Alberta, British Columbia, and Labrador. As a member of the genus Gonioctena, it is associated with woody host plants, though specific ecological details remain limited in published literature.
Hammerschmidtia
Hammerschmidtia is a Holarctic genus of hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae) in the tribe Brachyopini. Larvae develop in sap under the bark of freshly fallen trees, particularly decaying aspen (Populus tremula). The genus includes five described species, with H. ferruginea being endangered in parts of its range due to habitat loss.
Leucobrephos brephoides
Scarce Infant Moth
Leucobrephos brephoides is a small geometrid moth known as the scarce infant moth. It is one of the earliest moths to appear in spring, with adults active from March through May. The species is restricted to North American boreal and montane forests, where its larvae feed on several deciduous tree species including aspen and birch.
Pachypappa sacculi
Aspen leaf-pocket aphid
Pachypappa sacculi, commonly known as the aspen leaf-pocket aphid, is a gall-forming aphid species in the family Aphididae. It induces distinctive pocket-like galls on leaves of aspen and related poplar species. The species belongs to the subfamily Pemphiginae, which includes many aphids that form complex plant galls. Observations on iNaturalist indicate it is documented across multiple regions where host trees occur.
Phyllonorycter apparella
Aspen Leaf Blotch Miner, Aspen Leaf Blotch Miner Moth
A small leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae with a wingspan of 8.5–10 mm. Larvae create blotch mines on aspen and related poplar species, with each mine housing a single larva. The species has one generation per year and is found across most of Europe, Turkey, and North America.
Phyllonorycter nipigon
Balsam Poplar Leaf Blotch Miner
Phyllonorycter nipigon is a small leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae. The species is widespread across northern North America, with larvae that create blotch mines in leaves of various Populus species. Adults are active in late summer and fall, with one generation per year. The species is named after Lake Nipigon in Ontario, Canada.
Platycerus depressus
Aspen stag beetle (eastern)
Platycerus depressus is a species of stag beetle in the family Lucanidae, described by Joseph LeConte in 1850. It is one of the smaller stag beetles in North America and is associated with aspen and other deciduous trees. The species is widely distributed across boreal and temperate regions of Canada and the northern United States. It is commonly known as the eastern aspen stag beetle due to its association with Populus tremuloides and related host trees.
Pococera aplastella
Aspen Webworm Moth
Pococera aplastella is a moth species in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Epipaschiinae. Commonly known as the Aspen Webworm Moth, it occurs in western and central Canada. Larvae are web-forming caterpillars that feed on aspen and related host plants. The species has been documented in Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.