Gracillariidae
Guides
Parornichinae
Parornichinae is a subfamily of moths within the family Gracillariidae, established in 2001. It contains five genera: Callisto, Graphiocephala, Parornix, and Pleiomorpha. Members are known as leaf-mining moths, with larvae that feed internally on plant leaves. The genus Parornix was first reported from China in 2021.
Parornix
Parornix is a genus of leaf-mining microlepidopteran moths in the family Gracillariidae. The genus was established by Arnold Spuler in 1910 and is the type genus of the subfamily Parornichinae. Species are known to feed on Rosaceae host plants, with larvae creating characteristic mines in leaves. The genus has been recorded across Europe, North America, and Asia.
Parornix geminatella
Unspotted Tentiform Leafminer Moth
Parornix geminatella is a leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae. Its larvae create tentiform mines on leaves of Rosaceae trees and shrubs. The species has a broad distribution across eastern North America, extending from Québec to Florida and west to Colorado and Texas.
Parornix inusitatumella
Parornix inusitatumella is a leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae, native to eastern North America. Its larvae feed on hawthorn species (Crataegus), creating distinctive blotch mines on leaves. The species has been documented across multiple Canadian provinces and several U.S. states in the Great Lakes and northeastern regions.
Parornix n-sp-t
Parornix n-sp-t is an undescribed or provisional species designation within the genus Parornix, a group of small moths in the family Gracillariidae. These moths are leaf miners, with larvae that feed internally within plant tissues. The 'n-sp-t' notation indicates this is a working name used in collections or databases pending formal description. Members of this genus are morphologically similar and often require dissection or molecular analysis for definitive identification.
Parornix peregrinaella
Parornix peregrinaella is a small moth in the family Gracillariidae, described by Darlington in 1949. It has a restricted distribution in northeastern North America, with records from eastern Canada and the northeastern United States. The species is associated with sweetfern (Comptonia peregrina), on which its larvae mine leaves.
Parornix spiraeifoliella
Parornix spiraeifoliella is a small moth in the family Gracillariidae, first described by Braun in 1918. The species is documented only from British Columbia, Canada. Its larvae are leaf miners that develop on Spiraea species, creating distinctive wrinkled mines on the undersides of leaves. The species has been observed 26 times on iNaturalist.
Parornix vicinella
Parornix vicinella is a small leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae. Its larvae feed on yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis) and gray birch (Betula flava), creating distinctive mines in the leaves. The species is known from the northeastern United States and adjacent Canadian provinces.
Phyllocnistinae
Phyllocnistinae is a subfamily of leaf-mining moths within Gracillariidae. The group contains the genus Phyllocnistis, whose larvae are specialized serpentine leaf miners that feed between the upper and lower surfaces of host plant leaves. Members occur in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, with some species achieving pest status on economically important crops.
Phyllocnistis ampelopsiella
Phyllocnistis ampelopsiella is a microlepidopteran moth in the family Gracillariidae. The larva is a leaf miner that produces distinctive white, winding mines on the undersides of leaves. The mine pattern is initially somewhat linear but becomes convoluted and blotchy as the larva feeds between the leaf cuticle layers, eventually separating the entire cuticle in the mined portion. The species is known from eastern North America.
Phyllocnistis hyperpersea
Phyllocnistis hyperpersea is a microlepidopteran moth in the family Gracillariidae, described by Davis & Wagner in 2011. The species is notable for its distinctive leafmining behavior on Persea species, creating serpentine galleries on the upper leaf surface with an unusually broad median frass trail. Its specific name references this habit of mining on the upperside (hyper) of Persea leaves.
Phyllocnistis insignis
Phyllocnistis insignis is a minute moth in the family Gracillariidae, native to North America. The species is notable for its specialized larval behavior: larvae are leaf miners that create distinctive long, narrow, winding mines on the upper surfaces of leaves. It has been documented across a broad geographic range in the United States and Canada.
Phyllocnistis liriodendronella
Tulip Tree Leaf Miner
Phyllocnistis liriodendronella is a microlepidopteran moth in the family Gracillariidae, commonly known as the Tulip Tree Leaf Miner. The species is known from the eastern United States, where its larvae create distinctive serpentine mines on the leaves of host plants in the magnolia family. It is one of numerous Phyllocnistis species specialized as leaf miners on woody plants.
Phyllocnistis on-eubotrys-racemosa
A tiny leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae, Phyllocnistis on-eubotrys-racemosa is part of the 'microlepidoptera'—a group of moths typically measuring less than 10 mm. Like other members of its genus, this species likely produces larvae that mine between leaf layers, creating distinctive serpentine or blotch mines. The species epithet suggests an association with the plant genus Eubotrys (fetterbush), indicating a specialized host relationship.
Phyllonorycter albanotella
Marginal Tentiform Oak Leafminer
Phyllonorycter albanotella is a minute moth in the family Gracillariidae, commonly known as the Marginal Tentiform Oak Leafminer. Adults have a wingspan of 6–7.5 mm. The species is specialized on oaks, with larvae creating distinctive tentiform mines on the undersides of leaves. It occurs in eastern North America from Ontario and Québec south to Texas.
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 argentifimbriella
Phyllonorycter argentifimbriella is a small leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae. Adults have a wingspan of 6.5–7 mm. The species is known from eastern North America, ranging from Québec south to multiple U.S. states. Larvae feed on several oak species, creating mines within leaves.
Phyllonorycter argentinotella
Golden Elm Leafminer
Phyllonorycter argentinotella is a micro-moth in the family Gracillariidae, commonly known as the Golden Elm Leafminer. It is a leaf-mining species whose larvae feed on elm leaves (Ulmus species), creating characteristic blotch mines. The species occurs in eastern North America, from Québec south through the northeastern and midwestern United States. Adults are small, with a wingspan of 6.5–8 mm.
Phyllonorycter auronitens
Phyllonorycter auronitens is a minute leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae, with a wingspan of 6.5–8.2 mm. The species is known from eastern Canada and the northeastern and north-central United States. Larvae are specialized feeders on Alnus (alder) species, creating blotch mines within leaves.
Phyllonorycter bataviella
A small leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae, known from scattered records across the eastern and midwestern United States. The species belongs to a genus whose larvae typically create blotch mines within leaves. Adult moths are tiny, with wingspans characteristic of microlepidoptera.
Phyllonorycter blancardella
spotted tentiform leafminer, apple leafminer moth
Phyllonorycter blancardella is a small leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae, widely distributed across Europe and North America. The species is a significant pest of apple orchards, where larvae create distinctive spotted tentiform mines in leaves. Adults are tiny with variable forewing coloration, often orange or tawny with blackish scaling. The species has two to three generations per year in temperate regions and is subject to complex parasitoid communities that influence its population dynamics.
Phyllonorycter celtifoliella
A micro-moth in the family Gracillariidae, Phyllonorycter celtifoliella is a leaf-mining species whose larvae feed on hackberry (Celtis species). The species is known from multiple states in the eastern and central United States. Adults are small and inconspicuous, typical of the genus.
Phyllonorycter celtisella
Phyllonorycter celtisella is a leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae. The larvae create distinctive blotch mines on the upper surface of hackberry (Celtis) leaves. The species occurs in eastern and central North America, where it is closely associated with its host plants.
Phyllonorycter clemensella
A small moth in the family Gracillariidae, known from the northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. First described by Chambers in 1871 under the basionym Lithocolletis clemensella. Like other members of Phyllonorycter, the larvae are leaf miners, though specific host plant associations for this species remain undocumented.
Phyllonorycter crataegella
Apple Blotch Leafminer Moth
Phyllonorycter crataegella is a microlepidopteran in the family Gracillariidae, commonly known as the apple blotch leafminer moth. It is a significant pest of apple orchards in northeastern North America, where larvae create blotch mines in leaves. The species exhibits a primarily diurnal activity pattern with sex-specific flight timing: males fly intensely in the morning for mating, while females fly in the afternoon and evening for oviposition. It has three generations per year in its core range, with overwintering adults emerging in spring triggered by accumulated degree-days above 5°C.
Phyllonorycter deserticola
Phyllonorycter deserticola is a microlepidopteran moth in the family Gracillariidae, described by Davis & Deschka in 2001. It inhabits restricted, mostly arid environments across the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The species is notable for its specialized leaf-mining larvae that feed exclusively on Populus species, including several cottonwood and hybrid poplars. Adults are active from late July through early October in two generations per year, with the second generation overwintering.
Phyllonorycter elmaella
western tentiform leafminer
Phyllonorycter elmaella, the western tentiform leafminer, is a small moth in the family Gracillariidae. It is a documented pest of apple (Malus) in commercial orchards across western North America. Larvae create tentiform (blotch-shaped) mines within apple leaves, feeding between the upper and lower epidermis. The species serves as host to a diverse community of parasitoid wasps, with at least 14 species recorded, supporting natural biological control in orchard ecosystems.
Phyllonorycter emberizaepenella
Large Midget
A small leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae with a wingspan of 9–10 mm. It reproduces exclusively by thelytokous parthenogenesis, with no males known to exist. Females nevertheless display diurnal calling behavior and produce sex pheromone compounds, despite the absence of mate attraction. The species is widespread across Europe and has been introduced to North America.
Phyllonorycter fitchella
A small leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae with a wingspan of 7.5–8 mm. Larvae create mines in leaves of Quercus (oak) species. Adults are active from March to October in at least some portions of the range.
Phyllonorycter fragilella
Phyllonorycter fragilella is a small leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae, with a wingspan of 8.5–9 mm. The species is known from eastern Canada and the north-central and northeastern United States. Larvae feed on honeysuckles (Lonicera), snowberries (Symphoricarpos), and milkberry (Chiococca alba), creating mines within host plant leaves.
Phyllonorycter holodisci
Phyllonorycter holodisci is a small moth in the family Gracillariidae, described by Annette Braun in 1939. The species is endemic to western North America, with confirmed records from California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and British Columbia. Its larvae are specialized leaf miners that feed exclusively on Holodiscus discolor, a shrub commonly known as ocean spray or creambush. The mine is constructed on the upper surface of the host leaf.
Phyllonorycter incanella
Phyllonorycter incanella is a micro-moth in the family Gracillariidae, known from scattered locations in western and eastern North America. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 9 mm. The species is a leaf miner, with larvae feeding on alder species.
Phyllonorycter intermixta
leaf blotch miner moth
Phyllonorycter intermixta is a small leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae. The species is known from a limited range in northeastern North America, including Québec and several New England and midwestern U.S. states. Larvae are specialized herbivores that create blotch mines in leaves of American hazelnut. Adults are tiny moths attracted to light.
Phyllonorycter kearfottella
Phyllonorycter kearfottella is a minute leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae, with a wingspan of approximately 7 mm. The species is restricted to the eastern and northwestern United States, where its larvae create blotch mines on leaves of Castanea species. It was described by Annette Braun in 1908.
Phyllonorycter lucetiella
Basswood Miner Moth
Phyllonorycter lucetiella is a micro-moth in the family Gracillariidae, commonly known as the Basswood Miner Moth. Adults are extremely small with a wingspan of 6–7 mm. The species is native to eastern North America, where larvae create distinctive tentiform leaf mines on host plants. It is one of many Phyllonorycter species specialized in mining leaves of deciduous trees.
Phyllonorycter lucidicostella
Lesser Maple Leaf Blotch Miner, Lesser Maple Leaf Blotch Miner Moth
A microlepidopteran leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae. Adults are minute with a wingspan of approximately 6.5 mm. Larvae feed as leaf miners on maple species (Acer), creating blotch mines on host foliage. The species is documented across eastern North America from Ontario and Québec south to Alabama and North Carolina.
Phyllonorycter maestingella
Beech Midget
Phyllonorycter maestingella is a minute leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae. The species is bivoltine, with adults flying in spring and late summer. Larvae are specialized miners of beech leaves, creating distinctive blotch mines on the leaf underside. The species has a transcontinental distribution spanning Europe, Russia, and western North America.
Phyllonorycter manzanita
Phyllonorycter manzanita is a leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae. The species is endemic to California and was described by Braun in 1925. Larvae create characteristic mines in the leaves of manzanita species (Arctostaphylos), with documented hosts including Arctostaphylos glauca and Arctostaphylos manzanita.
Phyllonorycter mariaeella
Phyllonorycter mariaeella is a micro-moth in the family Gracillariidae, commonly known as leaf blotch miner moths. The species is known from limited localities in Canada and the United States. Larvae are leaf miners that feed on species of Symphoricarpos (coralberry/snowberry). Adults are tiny, with a wingspan of 8-8.5 mm.
Phyllonorycter martiella
Phyllonorycter martiella is a micro-moth in the family Gracillariidae, known from eastern North America. Adults are extremely small with a wingspan of approximately 6.8 mm. The species is a leaf-mining specialist, with larvae feeding on birch species.
Phyllonorycter mildredae
A small leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae, described in 2001. Adults have forewings 2.4–3 mm in length. The species is likely more widespread than current records indicate, with confirmed reports from Washington D.C., Kentucky, and Ohio. Larvae create blotch mines on leaves of poplars and willows.
Phyllonorycter occitanica
Phyllonorycter occitanica is a micro-moth in the family Gracillariidae, known from Texas, United States. The larvae are leaf miners that feed on elm species (Ulmus), specifically Ulmus fulva and Ulmus rubra. Like other members of its genus, it produces characteristic blotch mines on the leaves of its host plants. The species was described by Frey and Boll in 1876.
Phyllonorycter olivaeformis
A micro-moth in the family Gracillariidae with a wingspan of approximately 6.5 mm. The species is known from the northeastern and midwestern United States. Larvae are leaf miners that feed on pecan (Carya illinoinensis).
Phyllonorycter ostryaefoliella
Wrinkled Hophornbeam Blotch Miner Moth
Phyllonorycter ostryaefoliella is a minute moth in the family Gracillariidae, known from eastern North America. Adults have a wingspan of 6–6.5 mm. The species is specialized on Ostrya species as larval hosts, with larvae mining the leaves of their host plant.
Phyllonorycter platani
London Midget, plane leaf miner
Phyllonorycter platani is a small leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae, commonly known as the London Midget or plane leaf miner. The species is notable for its association with Platanus (plane trees) as its larval host, creating distinctive blotch mines on leaves. It has been introduced to North America and is considered an invasive species in some regions. The moth has a wingspan of 8–10 mm and produces two generations annually in parts of its range.
Phyllonorycter salicifoliella
aspen blotch miner
Phyllonorycter salicifoliella is a North American micro-moth in the family Gracillariidae, commonly known as the aspen blotch miner. Adults are small with forewings 3–4 mm in length. The species is notable for its larval leaf-mining behavior on willows and poplars, with larvae feeding internally within leaf tissue. It exhibits two generations per year in most of its range, with adult activity peaking in summer and again in late summer through autumn.
Phyllonorycter symphoricarpaeella
A minute leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae with a wingspan of 5.5–6 mm. The species is known from scattered localities across the United States. Larvae are specialized miners of Symphoricarpos (snowberry) leaves, creating distinctive tentiform mines on the leaf undersides.
Phyllonorycter tiliacella
Basswood Round-blotch Miner Moth
Phyllonorycter tiliacella is a small leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae. The larvae create distinctive tentiform mines on the upper surfaces of basswood (Tilia) leaves, appearing white with dense dark brown speckling. The species has a bivoltine life cycle with different pupal strategies for summer and winter broods.
Phyllonorycter trinotella
Red Maple Blotchminer
Phyllonorycter trinotella is a micro-moth in the family Gracillariidae, commonly known as the Red Maple Blotchminer. The species has a wingspan of approximately 5 mm. Larvae are leaf miners that feed on several Acer species, creating blotch mines on the leaves. The species is known from eastern Canada and the northeastern and midwestern United States.
Phyllonorycter tritaenianella
A small North American leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae. The species creates distinctive blotch mines on Ostrya species, with larvae developing through a flat blotch stage before the mine becomes tentiform as the leaf folds over. Adults are known from the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada.