Leaf-miner
Guides
Paraleucoptera
cottonwood leafminer moth
Paraleucoptera is a genus of micro moths in the family Lyonetiidae, established by Heinrich in 1918. Members are extremely small, with wingspans as small as 4 mm. The genus includes leaf-mining species that feed on poplars and related host plants. Heavy larval infestations can cause significant defoliation. The genus is currently treated as a synonym of Leucoptera in some taxonomic databases, though it remains in use.
Paraleucoptera albella
Cottonwood Leafminer, Cottonwood Leaf Miner
Paraleucoptera albella is a micro-moth in the family Lyonetiidae with a wingspan of approximately 4 mm. The species is known as the cottonwood leafminer due to the feeding behavior of its larvae, which create full-depth mines in leaves of Populus deltoides. It occurs throughout western and eastern North America. Heavy larval infestations can cause significant defoliation and branch damage.
Paraswammerdamia nebulella
Hawthorn Ermel
Paraswammerdamia nebulella, known as the Hawthorn Ermel, is a small moth in the family Yponomeutidae. The species is primarily associated with hawthorn (Crataegus) as a larval host plant. It is distributed across Europe, with records from multiple countries including Sweden. The species has been historically confused with P. lutarea, which is now treated as a synonym.
Parectopa
A genus of small moths in the family Gracillariidae. Species are leaf miners, with larvae feeding internally on host plant foliage. The genus includes approximately 40 described species distributed across multiple continents. Several species have become invasive pests, notably Parectopa robiniella on black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) in Europe.
Parectopa bumeliella
Parectopa bumeliella is a leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae, first described by Annette Frances Braun in 1939. The species is known from the south-central United States, with confirmed records in Kentucky, Arkansas, and several adjacent states. Larvae feed on Sideroxylon species, creating mines in the leaves of their host plants.
Parectopa geraniella
Parectopa geraniella is a small moth in the family Gracillariidae, described by Annette Frances Braun in 1935. The species is a leaf miner whose larvae feed exclusively on Geranium maculatum, creating distinctive linear mines that become contorted and blotch-like as they develop. It has been recorded from a limited range in the central United States.
Parectopa robiniella
Locust Digitate Leafminer, Locust Digitate Leafminer Moth
Parectopa robiniella is a small gracillariid moth native to North America that has become invasive in Europe. First detected in Italy in 1970, it has since spread to at least ten European countries including Ukraine, where it was first recorded in 2003. The species is a specialist leaf miner whose larvae feed on Robinia species, particularly the black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia). Its spread has been facilitated by global warming and the widespread planting of its host tree.
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 kalmiella
Laurel Leafminer
Parornix kalmiella is a small moth in the family Gracillariidae, commonly known as the Laurel Leafminer. The species is named for its association with Kalmia (mountain laurel), its larval host plant. It occurs in northeastern North America, with records from Canada and the United States. Larvae create blotch or serpentine mines in leaves of their host.
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.
Pegomya atlanis
root-maggot fly
Pegomya atlanis is a species of root-maggot fly in the family Anthomyiidae, described by Huckett in 1939. The species is known to feed on Chenopodium album as a leaf miner. It belongs to a genus whose larvae commonly mine leaves or feed on roots of various plants.
Pegomya betae
Beet Leafminer
Pegomya betae is a leaf-mining fly in the family Anthomyiidae, commonly known as the Beet Leafminer. The species is native to the Palearctic region and has been introduced to North America. Larvae feed internally in leaves of beet plants, creating distinctive mines. It is considered a significant agricultural pest of sugar beet and related crops.
Pegomya disticha
Pegomya disticha is a species of fly in the family Anthomyiidae, described by Griffiths in 1983. It belongs to a genus whose larvae are primarily known as leaf-miners of various plant hosts. The species name 'disticha' refers to an arrangement in two opposite rows, though the specific application to this species is not documented in available sources. As with many anthomyiid flies, adults likely resemble small house flies in general appearance.
Pegomya hyoscyami
beet leafminer, spinach leafminer
Pegomya hyoscyami is a small grey fly in the family Anthomyiidae, commonly known as the beet leafminer or spinach leafminer. The species is economically significant as a pest of leafy greens, with larvae that mine between leaf surfaces causing substantial damage to crops. Multiple generations occur annually, with activity beginning in spring. The species belongs to a complex of four closely related species that were historically confused.
Perimede erransella
Gray Perimede Moth
Perimede erransella is a small moth in the family Cosmopterigidae, described by Vactor Tousey Chambers in 1874. It occurs across eastern North America from Canada to the Gulf Coast. The species has a wingspan of approximately 12 mm and is active year-round as an adult. Larvae are known to feed on a diverse range of woody host plants including tulip tree, hickory, oak, bald cypress, and elm.
Perittia herrichiella
Perittia herrichiella is a small moth in the family Elachistidae, characterized by its leaf-mining larval stage on honeysuckles and related plants. The species has a trans-Palearctic distribution across Europe and has been introduced to North America, where it is established in the northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. Adults are active in summer, while larvae feed internally in leaves of host plants.
Phrydiuchus
Phrydiuchus is a genus of true weevils (Curculionidae) comprising at least two described species: P. tau and P. topiarius. Species in this genus are specialized herbivores associated with Salvia species (Lamiaceae), with documented use as biological control agents against invasive sage weeds. The genus is characterized by small, dark-colored weevils with distinctive dorsal markings.
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
Phyllocnistis is a genus of microlepidopteran moths in the family Gracillariidae, containing approximately 126 described species as of 2012. The genus is notable for its highly specialized larval biology: early instars are sap-feeding leaf miners that create distinctive serpentine subepidermal mines with median frass trails, while the fourth instar is a non-feeding, apodal stage specialized for cocoon construction. Adults are minute moths with wingspans generally under 5 mm, characterized by reduced compound eyes, vestigial maxillary palpi, and lanceolate white wings marked with yellow to orange striae.
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 citrella
Citrus Leafminer, CLM
Phyllocnistis citrella, commonly known as the citrus leafminer or CLM, is a small moth in the family Gracillariidae. Native to tropical Asia, it has become a globally distributed agricultural pest of citrus since its discovery in Florida in 1993. The larvae create distinctive serpentine mines in citrus leaves, protected within the leaf epidermis from many topical insecticide treatments. The species is managed through integrated pest management strategies including biological control with introduced parasitoids, mating disruption using sex pheromones, and cultural practices.
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 meliacella
Mahogany leaf miner
Phyllocnistis meliacella, commonly known as the mahogany leaf miner, is a microlepidopteran moth in the family Gracillariidae. The species was described by Becker in 1974. It is a leaf-mining species whose larvae feed internally on host plant foliage. Originally known only from Costa Rica, it has recently been documented in Florida, USA, representing a range expansion into North America.
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.
Phyllocnistis populiella
common aspen leaf miner, aspen serpentine leafminer, Aspen Serpentine Leafminer Moth
Phyllocnistis populiella is a microlepidopteran leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae. It has become common and abundant in western North America, where it feeds exclusively on Populus tremuloides (trembling aspen) and P. balsamifera (balsam poplar). Larvae create serpentine mines in the epidermal layer of leaves, with heavy infestations causing mid-summer defoliation. The species exhibits remarkable cold hardiness, overwintering as larvae in leaf litter with freeze tolerance to -40°C.
Phyllocnistis vitegenella
Phyllocnistis vitegenella is a small moth in the family Gracillariidae, native to North America, with established populations in Europe since the 1990s. The larvae are leaf miners that feed on grape species, including both native Vitis and cultivated Vitis vinifera, and have become recognized as a pest of commercial vineyards. The species was first described by Clemens in 1859.
Phyllonorycter aeriferella
Phyllonorycter aeriferella is a minute leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae. Adults have a wingspan of 7–8.5 mm. The larvae feed exclusively on oak species (Quercus), creating characteristic leaf mines. The species occurs in eastern North America from Canada to the southeastern United States.
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 arbutusella
Phyllonorycter arbutusella is a micro-moth in the family Gracillariidae, described by Braun in 1908. The species is known from California and British Columbia. Larvae are leaf miners that feed on Arbutus menziesii (Pacific madrone). Adults have a wingspan of approximately 8 mm.
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 basistrigella
Phyllonorycter basistrigella is a minute leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae. The species creates distinctive tentiform mines on the undersides of oak leaves, with larvae constructing an oval frass ring around the pupal cocoon. It is widely distributed across eastern and western North America, with records from Canada and numerous U.S. states. The wingspan measures approximately 8 mm.
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 comptoniella
Phyllonorycter comptoniella is a micro-moth in the family Gracillariidae. The species is known from a limited distribution in eastern North America, with records from southeastern Canada and the northeastern United States. Larvae are associated with sweetfern (Comptonia peregrina), and likely mine the leaves of this host plant. Adults are small and nondescript, typical of the genus.
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 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.