Leaf-miner
Guides
Acalyptris
Acalyptris is a genus of minute moths in the family Nepticulidae, established by Meyrick in 1921. It represents the second largest genus of Nepticulidae in the Americas and contains approximately 100 described species distributed across six continents. The genus is characterized by leaf-mining larvae that create distinctive mines in host plant foliage. Species are organized into multiple species groups based on morphology and host associations, with nine revised species groups recognized in the American fauna.
Acrobasis angusella
Hickory Leafstem Borer, Leafstem Borer, Hickory Leafstem Borer Moth
Acrobasis angusella, described by Grote in 1880, is a snout moth in the family Pyralidae. The species is known from Quebec, Canada, and the northeastern United States. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 18 mm and are active from May through September. The larvae are specialized feeders on hickory species (Carya), boring into leaf stems and causing premature leaf drop.
Acrobasis juglandis
Pecan Leaf Casebearer, Pecan Leaf Casebearer Moth
Acrobasis juglandis is a small pyralid moth commonly known as the pecan leaf casebearer. The species is a significant pest of pecan and walnut trees, with larvae feeding on foliage and nutlets of host plants in the genus Carya and Juglans. Its common name derives from the larval habit of constructing protective cases from leaf material. The species is native to North America and has been documented from Ontario south to Florida and west to New Mexico.
Acrocercops
Acrocercops is a genus of leaf-mining moths in the family Gracillariidae. Species in this genus are primarily known as internal feeders on plant foliage, creating mines within leaves. Several species have been extensively studied as models for host race formation and host-associated speciation, particularly A. transecta, which exhibits distinct host races on distantly related plant families. The genus includes both native and invasive species, with some members recognized as agricultural pests.
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.
Acrocercops astericola
Aster Tentiform Blotchminer
Acrocercops astericola is a leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae. The species is known from eastern North America, where larvae feed on asteraceous host plants. Adults are small moths typical of the microlepidoptera. The common name refers to the distinctive tentiform blotch mines created by larval feeding.
Acrolepiopsis assectella
Leek Moth, Onion Leaf Miner
Acrolepiopsis assectella, commonly known as the leek moth or onion leaf miner, is a specialist herbivore native to Europe and Siberia that has become an invasive pest in North America. It is a significant agricultural pest of Allium crops including garlic, leek, onion, and chives, capable of causing up to 40% crop damage. The species has expanded its range from initial detections in the Ottawa area in 1993 to much of eastern Canada and the northeastern United States. Its life cycle is temperature-dependent, with 1–3 generations per year possible depending on climate.
Adaina montanus
Mountain Plume Moth
Adaina montanus is a small plume moth in the family Pterophoridae, native to North America. It has a wingspan of approximately 16 mm and is characterized by snow-white coloration with ferruginous-brown scaling on the forewings. The species is associated with specific host plants including cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium canadense) and New York aster (Symphyotrichum novi-belgii). Adults are active during summer months, with larvae feeding on leaf tissue of their host plants.
Adeloidea
Fairy Moths and Allies, Leafcutters, Yucca Moths and Relatives
Adeloidea is a superfamily of primitive monotrysian moths within Lepidoptera, comprising families including Adelidae (fairy longhorn moths), Heliozelidae (shield-bearer moths), Incurvariidae (leafcutter moths), Prodoxidae (yucca moths), and Tridentaformidae. Members are characterized by a piercing, extensible ovipositor used for inserting eggs into plant tissue. Many species exhibit diurnal activity and metallic coloration patterns.
Agnippe laudatella
Agnippe laudatella is a small gelechiid moth with a wingspan of approximately 10.5 mm, endemic to California. The species is characterized by distinctive white forewings with complex brownish fuscous patterning. Larvae feed on Quercus (oak) species.
Agnippe prunifoliella
Skunk Twirler
Agnippe prunifoliella is a small gelechiid moth known by the common name Skunk Twirler. The species occurs across much of North America, with records spanning from southern Canada through the eastern and central United States. Adults are recognized by distinctive forewing patterning with contrasting dark and white areas. The species is a specialist herbivore, with larvae feeding on wild plum.
Agonopterix atrodorsella
Beggartick Leaffolder Moth
A small moth in the family Depressariidae, first described from North America in 1863. Adults are active year-round depending on location, with a single generation annually. The species overwinters as an adult and is associated with several herbaceous plant genera.
Agonopterix fusciterminella
Agonopterix fusciterminella is a small moth in the family Depressariidae, described by Clarke in 1941. It is found in western and eastern North America, with records from California to British Columbia and from North Carolina to Tennessee. The species has a wingspan of 22–25 mm and exhibits distinctive reddish-brown and fuscous forewing patterning. Larvae are known to feed on specific host plants in the Asteraceae family.
Agonopterix lythrella
A small moth in the family Depressariidae described by Walsingham in 1889. It is found in northeastern and north-central North America, ranging from the Canadian prairies to the Atlantic coast and south to North Carolina. The species has a wingspan of approximately 15 mm and distinctive tawny-reddish forewings with characteristic pattern elements.
Agromyza
A genus of small flies in the family Agromyzidae. Adults are distinguished by stridulatory files on the first two abdominal tergites and halteres that are usually white or yellow. The genus is best known for its leaf-mining larvae, which feed internally on plant leaf tissue. Some species are minor agricultural pests of crops including corn and rice.
Agromyza alnibetulae
Agromyza alnibetulae is a leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae. The species is associated with alder (Alnus) and birch (Betula) host plants, as indicated by its specific epithet. Larvae create serpentine or blotch mines in leaves. Adults are small, typically 2-3 mm in length, with the reduced wing venation characteristic of the genus.
Agromyza ambrosivora
Agromyza ambrosivora is a leaf miner fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Spencer in 1969. The specific epithet "ambrosivora" suggests a potential association with Ambrosia (ragweed) or related plants, though this host relationship has not been definitively confirmed in published literature. The species is documented in entomological collections and databases, with 51 observations recorded on iNaturalist.
Agromyza aprilina
Agromyza aprilina is a species of leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Malloch in 1915. As a member of this family, it is presumed to produce larvae that feed internally within leaf tissue, creating distinctive mines. The species is accepted in current taxonomy but specific biological details remain poorly documented in available literature.
Agromyza aristata
elm agromyzid leafminer
Agromyza aristata is a leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, commonly known as the elm agromyzid leafminer. The species creates serpentine leaf mines in elm leaves and shows a strong preference for American elm (Ulmus americana) over Asian elms and hybrids. It is widespread throughout eastern North America and has been documented as a pest in urban landscape settings.
Agromyza deserta
Agromyza deserta is a species of leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, first described by Patton in 1897 under the basionym Cecidomyiaceltis deserta. The species belongs to the genus Agromyza, which contains numerous economically important leaf miners. As with other members of this family, the larvae are internal feeders that create distinctive mines within host plant leaves.
Agromyza diversa
Agromyza diversa is a species of leaf miner fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Johnson in 1922. It belongs to a large genus of small flies whose larvae feed internally within plant leaves, creating distinctive serpentine or blotchy mines. The species has been recorded from the northeastern United States, particularly Vermont.
Agromyza indistincta
Agromyza indistincta is a species of leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described in 2019 by Eiseman, Lonsdale, and Feldman. The specific epithet "indistincta" refers to the difficulty in distinguishing this species from related taxa based on external morphology alone. As a member of the large genus Agromyza, it belongs to a group of flies whose larvae create distinctive feeding trails (mines) within leaf tissue. The species is known from very few records.
Agromyza isolata
Agromyza isolata is a species of leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, first described by Malloch in 1913. The species belongs to a large genus of small flies whose larvae feed internally within plant leaf tissue, creating distinctive serpentine or blotch mines. As with most Agromyzidae, adults are minute to small in size. Specific host plant associations and detailed biology remain poorly documented.
Agromyza new-species-on-wisteria
An undescribed species in the genus Agromyza, recognized by its association with Wisteria (Fabaceae) as a host plant. The species epithet 'new-species-on-wisteria' indicates its provisional status pending formal taxonomic description. As an Agromyzidae species, it is a leaf-mining fly whose larvae feed internally within leaf tissue. The specific morphological and biological characteristics remain undocumented in the scientific literature.
Agromyza parca
Agromyza parca is a small leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Spencer in 1986. Members of this genus are known for creating distinctive serpentine or blotch mines in living leaf tissue of host plants. The species is poorly documented in public sources, with minimal observational records available.
Agromyza parvicornis
Corn Blotch Leafminer
A leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, primarily associated with corn (Zea mays) cultivation. The species creates distinctive blotch-shaped mines in host plant foliage. It is considered a minor and sporadic agricultural pest with limited economic impact. Documented from North American corn-growing regions and more recently recorded in Mexico.
Agromyza sulfuriceps
Agromyza sulfuriceps is a species of leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae. The species is known to create mines in leaves of Potentilla plants. It was described by Strobl in 1898 and is recorded from Scandinavia.
Agromyza vockerothi
Agromyza vockerothi is a leaf miner fly in the family Agromyzidae. The species is known from North America, with confirmed records from Vermont and the United States. Larvae feed on brambles (Rubus).
Agromyzidae
leaf-miner flies, leaf miner flies
Agromyzidae is a large family of small flies comprising approximately 2,500 species worldwide. Adults are minute to small (0.9–6.5 mm), with distinctive head sclerotization patterns and reduced wing venation. The family derives its common name from the larval feeding habit: larvae are predominantly leaf miners that feed between the upper and lower epidermis of plant leaves, creating visible mines that are often species-specific in shape. Some species are significant agricultural pests, particularly in the genera Liriomyza, Phytomyza, and Ophiomyia.
Agromyzinae
mining flies, leaf-miner flies
Agromyzinae is a subfamily of small flies within the family Agromyzidae, commonly known as mining flies or leaf-miner flies. The subfamily was established by Fallén in 1823 and contains multiple genera including Agromyza, Japanagromyza, Melanagromyza, Ophiomyia, and Epidermomyia. Species in this subfamily are best known for their larval habit of feeding within plant tissues, creating distinctive mines in leaves, stems, or other plant parts. The subfamily has a global distribution with documented diversity in Europe, Asia, and other regions, with over 100 species confirmed from Ukraine alone and 13 species recorded from southern India.
Amauromyza
Amauromyza is a genus of leaf-miner and stem-borer flies in the family Agromyzidae, comprising over 60 described species. Most species are phytophagous, with larvae feeding internally in plant tissues. The genus includes significant agricultural pests such as Amauromyza karli, which has recently emerged as a major constraint to quinoa production in the western United States. Species exhibit variation in feeding ecology, with some mining leaves and others boring stems.
Amauromyza flavifrons
A leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, Amauromyza flavifrons is notable for documented cases of rapid evolutionary change in host plant selection. Populations have been observed to evolve avoidance behavior toward novel hosts, specifically sugar beet (Beta vulgaris), when local exposure creates fitness costs. This makes the species a studied example of contemporary evolution in plant-insect interactions.
Amauromyza pleuralis
Amauromyza pleuralis is a species of leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae. It is native to North America and has been recorded in the United States and Canada. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with herbaceous host plants, though specific host associations for this species remain poorly documented. The species was described by Malloch in 1914 based on specimens from Vermont.
Amblyptilia pica
Geranium Plume Moth
Amblyptilia pica is a plume moth in the family Pterophoridae, commonly known as the geranium plume moth. First described by Walsingham in 1880, this species exhibits a broad transcontinental distribution across North America. Adults are characterized by dark grey forewings mottled with black and a wingspan of 18–23 mm. The species is notable for its larval leaf-mining behavior on diverse host plants and for overwintering as an adult.
Anacampsis consonella
Anacampsis consonella is a small gelechiid moth species originally described by Zeller in 1873. It was long treated as a junior synonym of A. rhoifructella but was reinstated as a valid species based on differences in larval morphology, phenology, and genital structure. The species feeds as a larva on leaves of Viburnum prunifolium (blackhaw viburnum).
Anacampsis tristrigella
A small gelechiid moth with distinctive wing patterning described by Walsingham in 1882. The species is recognized by its greyish-fuscous forewings with greenish iridescence, steel-grey costal streak, and characteristic white markings including a transverse fascia and three to four apical tooth-like streaks. Larvae are known to feed on American hazelnut (Corylus americana).
Antispila
shield-bearer moths
Antispila is a genus of leaf-mining moths in the family Heliozelidae, established by Jacob Hübner in 1825. The genus comprises approximately 50 described species distributed across North America, Europe, and Asia. Larvae feed internally on leaves of host plants, creating distinctive serpentine or blotch mines that terminate in oval cutouts ('shields') used for pupation. Several species are economically significant as pests of grapevines, dogwoods, and ornamental shrubs. Taxonomic revisions using DNA barcoding have resolved longstanding species complexes, particularly among Cornus-feeding species in Europe.
Antispila aurirubra
Antispila aurirubra is a small North American moth in the family Heliozelidae, described by Annette Frances Braun in 1915. It is endemic to California and is associated with Cornus (dogwood) species as larval hosts. The species exhibits distinctive metallic coloration on the thorax and forewings.
Antispila cf-isabella
Antispila cf-isabella is a provisional species designation within the genus Antispila, a group of leaf-mining moths in the family Heliozelidae. The 'cf.' (confer) notation indicates morphological similarity to A. isabella without confirmed species identity. Antispila moths are commonly known as shield-bearer moths due to the oval cutouts their larvae make in leaves for pupation. Species in this genus are specialized herbivores with larvae that create distinctive mines in the leaves of specific host plants.
Antispila cornifoliella
Antispila cornifoliella is a North American moth in the family Heliozelidae, commonly known as shield-bearer moths. The species is a leaf-miner specialist on Cornus (dogwood) species, with larvae creating distinctive mines in leaves during late summer and early autumn. It is native to eastern and central North America, with records from the United States and Canada.
Antispila freemani
Antispila freemani is a small moth in the family Heliozelidae, described by J. Donald Lafontaine in 1973. It is native to North America, with records from Ontario, British Columbia, and Vermont. The larvae are leaf miners that feed specifically on Cornus canadensis (bunchberry).
Aproaerema
Aproaerema is a genus of gelechiid moths in the subfamily Anacampsinae. The genus contains at least 11 described species distributed across Africa, Asia, and Europe. Several species are significant agricultural pests, notably Aproaerema modicella (groundnut leaf miner), which causes severe yield losses in groundnut and soybean crops across South and Southeast Asia and has recently invaded Africa. The genus has been subject to taxonomic revision, with molecular and behavioral evidence suggesting relationships among A. modicella, A. simplexella, and related taxa require re-examination.
Argyresthia
Argents
Argyresthia is a genus of microlepidopteran moths comprising over 200 species, with more than 100 species recognized in the Palearctic region. Adults are exceptionally small, measuring 3.2–6.8 mm from head to wingtip. Most species display white wings with broad, transverse metallic stripes. Larvae are leaf or needle miners, feeding between tissue layers of conifers or broadleaved plants. The genus is the namesake of the family Argyresthiidae, having been elevated from subfamily status within Yponomeutidae.
Argyresthia aureoargentella
Argyresthia aureoargentella is a micro-moth in the family Argyresthiidae, described by Brower in 1953. Adults are whitish with metallic markings typical of the genus. The species occurs in North America, with records from Ontario, Quebec, and New Mexico. Adults are active from early June to late July, with one generation per year.
Argyresthia austerella
Argyresthia austerella is a micro-moth species in the family Argyresthiidae, first described by Zeller in 1873. It is native to North America with a documented range spanning from Florida to New Hampshire and westward to Texas and Missouri. The species is characterized by its small size (wingspan 8–9 mm) and distinctive wing pattern featuring dark brown markings on a white ground color. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to have larvae that mine conifer needles or broadleaved plants, though specific host associations for this species remain undocumented.
Argyresthia calliphanes
A small moth in the family Argyresthiidae, described by Edward Meyrick in 1913. Adults are active from June to August. Larvae are leaf miners that feed on Alnus species. The species occurs across much of North America, from eastern Canada to the Pacific coast.
Argyresthia franciscella
Argyresthia franciscella is a small moth in the family Argyresthiidae, described by Busck in 1915. It is native to western North America, with records from California. The species has a single generation annually. Larvae are specialized miners of cypress foliage, feeding within the growing tips of Cupressus species.
Argyresthia goedartella
bronze alder moth
Argyresthia goedartella, commonly known as the bronze alder moth, is a small moth species in the family Argyresthiidae. It is widely distributed across Europe and North America. The species is recognized by its distinctive coppery-golden Y-shaped wing marking and its association with birch and alder host plants. Adults are active from spring through autumn and have been observed feeding on nectar.
Aristaea
Aristaea is a genus of small moths in the family Gracillariidae, established by Edward Meyrick in 1907. The genus comprises twelve described species distributed across Australia, Asia, and parts of Europe. Members are leaf-mining moths, with larvae that feed internally on plant tissues. The genus includes the type species Aristaea thalassias, described by Meyrick in 1880.
Aristotelia pudibundella
Aristotelia pudibundella is a small moth in the twirler moth family Gelechiidae, described by Zeller in 1873. The species occurs across the southeastern and central United States, with additional records from Haiti, St. Croix, and Quebec. Adults can be distinguished from the similar Aristotelia roseosuffusella by their reduced or absent roseate coloration on the forewings and specific banding patterns. Larvae feed on Malus species and Acacia farnesiana.