Juglandaceae
Guides
Acrobasis demotella
Walnut Shoot Moth
Acrobasis demotella, the walnut shoot moth, is a small pyralid moth described by Grote in 1881. Its larvae feed on Juglans (walnut) and Carya (hickory/pecan) species, making it a pest of nut-producing trees. The species occurs across eastern and central North America. It is one of several Acrobasis species associated with hardwood trees in the walnut family.
Acrobasis indigenella
Leaf Crumpler
Acrobasis indigenella, the leaf crumpler, is a small snout moth (Pyralidae: Phycitinae) described by Zeller in 1848. It is known from eastern North America, with records extending into central Canada and the north-central United States. The species has a bivoltine life cycle in Illinois and the southeastern United States, with larvae that feed on leaves of Juglandaceae, particularly black walnut, hickories, and pecan. First-generation larvae are notable for skeletonizing leaves and webbing them together into shelters for feeding.
Catocala palaeogama
Oldwife Underwing, Old Wife Underwing
Catocala palaeogama is a North American underwing moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Guenée in 1852. The species exhibits the characteristic underwing morphology: cryptic forewings that conceal brightly patterned hindwings when at rest. Adults are active from June through October with one generation per year. The larval stage feeds exclusively on hardwood trees in the walnut and hickory family (Juglandaceae), as well as chestnut, apple, and related species. The species ranges across eastern and central North America from Ontario to South Carolina and west to Arkansas and Oklahoma.
Coptodisca
Coptodisca is a genus of small moths in the family Heliozelidae, established by Walsingham in 1895. Species are leafminers whose larvae feed internally on leaves of woody plants, creating distinctive blotch mines. Several species have become invasive pests in Europe, particularly C. lucifluella and C. juglandiella on walnut (Juglans) and related trees. The genus is native to the Nearctic region with approximately 20 described species.
Macroxyelinae
macroxyelid sawflies
Macroxyelinae is a small subfamily of sawflies within the family Xyelidae, one of the most basal lineages of Hymenoptera. The group contains two extant genera, Macroxyela and Megaxyela, with approximately six described species. These insects are characterized by their relatively large body size compared to other xyelid sawflies and their association with specific host plants, primarily hickories and walnuts (Juglandaceae). Macroxyelinae represents an ancient relict lineage with a primarily Holarctic distribution.
Megaxyela
Megaxyela is a genus of primitive sawflies in the family Xyelidae, comprising 13 described extant species. The genus has a disjunct distribution spanning the eastern Nearctic and southeastern East Asia, with fossil species known from Colorado and Shandong, China. Members are external feeders on trees in the walnut family (Juglandaceae).
Monellia caryella
Blackmargined Pecan Aphid, Black Margined Aphid
Monellia caryella, commonly known as the blackmargined pecan aphid, is a small sap-feeding insect and significant pest of pecan (Carya illinoinensis) orchards in North America. Adults are distinguished by a prominent black stripe along the outer margin of their wings, which are held flat over the body. Populations typically increase from June to August, then decline after approximately three weeks; outbreaks on most cultivars usually subside without causing measurable damage, though the 'Cheyenne' cultivar is notably susceptible. The species is subject to substantial mortality from entomopathogenic fungi, particularly during autumn when environmental conditions favor fungal growth.