Leaf-skeletonizer
Guides
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.
Aroga trialbamaculella
red-striped fireworm moth
Aroga trialbamaculella, commonly known as the red-striped fireworm moth, is a small gelechiid moth native to the eastern and central United States. Adults are active primarily from March to October, though records exist year-round. The species is notable for its larval feeding behavior: larvae skeletonize leaves of various woody plants and construct distinctive frass tubes between fastened leaves.
Catastega aceriella
Maple Trumpet Skeletonizer Moth
A small tortricid moth with a wingspan of 13–17 mm, distributed across eastern North America. The species is associated with maple trees, with larvae that skeletonize leaves. Multiple generations may occur annually.
Choreutidae
metalmark moths
Choreutidae, commonly known as metalmark moths, are a family of small Lepidoptera now placed in their own superfamily Choreutoidea. The family contains approximately 19 genera in three subfamilies (Choreutinae, Brenthiinae, and possibly others), defined primarily by structural characteristics of larvae and pupae rather than adult morphology. Many species exhibit metallic scaling and distinctive diurnal behaviors, with some members of the genus Brenthia demonstrating documented predator mimicry of jumping spiders. The family has been subject to considerable taxonomic revision, having previously been placed in Yponomeutoidea and Sesioidea.
Choreutis pariana
apple leaf skeletonizer moth, apple-and-thorn skeletonizer
Choreutis pariana is a small moth in the family Choreutidae, native to Eurasia and introduced to North America in 1917. The species is known for its larval feeding behavior that creates distinctive skeletonized leaves on host plants. Adults have a wingspan of 11–15 mm and typically display brownish coloration with banded wing patterns. The species has experienced significant taxonomic confusion due to multiple historical generic reassignments.
Choreutis sexfasciella
Banyan Leaf Skeletonizer Moth
Choreutis sexfasciella is a small moth in the family Choreutidae, commonly known as the Banyan Leaf Skeletonizer Moth. First described from the Philippines in 1902, the species has undergone rapid range expansion in recent years, establishing populations across the Mediterranean region, North America, and other areas. It is strongly associated with Ficus host plants, particularly Ficus microcarpa and F. benjamina, in urban environments. The species has been identified as a non-native invasive with observable socioeconomic impacts in introduced ranges.
Eriocampini
Eriocampini is a tribe of sawflies within the family Tenthredinidae. Members are herbivorous, with larvae that feed externally on foliage of various plants. The tribe includes economically significant species such as the pear slug (Caliroa cerasi), whose larvae skeletonize leaves of fruit trees. Eriocampini sawflies are distributed across the Holarctic region, with greatest diversity in North America and Eurasia.
Gelechia albisparsella
Gelechia albisparsella is a small gelechiid moth native to eastern and central North America. Adults are characterized by dark brown forewings with faint ochreous suffusion and sparse white scaling concentrated near the costal cilia. The larvae are specialized leaf skeletonizers of American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis). Despite being described in 1872, the species remains poorly documented beyond its original description and scattered collection records.
Harrisina
grapeleaf skeletonizer moths
Harrisina is a genus of moths in the family Zygaenidae, commonly known as grapeleaf skeletonizer moths. The genus includes several species, notably Harrisina americana (grapeleaf skeletonizer) and Harrisina metallica (western grapeleaf skeletonizer), which are significant agricultural pests of grapevines. Members of this genus are characterized by their aposematic coloration—typically black with bright red or metallic markings—and their ability to produce hydrogen cyanide as a chemical defense. The larvae feed gregariously on grape foliage, skeletonizing leaves by consuming the tissue between the veins.
Harrisina americana
Grapeleaf Skeletonizer Moth
Harrisina americana, commonly known as the Grapeleaf Skeletonizer Moth, is a day-flying moth in the family Zygaenidae. Adults are uniformly black with a distinctive bright red collar on the neck, serving as aposematic warning coloration. The species is notable among insects for its ability to produce hydrogen cyanide as a chemical defense. Larvae feed on grape family plants, skeletonizing leaves by consuming tissue between the veins. The moth is widespread in the eastern United States and is frequently observed in association with wild and cultivated grapes as well as Virginia creeper.
Harrisina coracina
Harrisina coracina is a leaf skeletonizer moth in the family Zygaenidae. The species was originally described by Clemens in 1861 under the name Aglaope coracina. It is one of several species in the genus Harrisina, which are known for their distinctive larval feeding behavior that produces skeletonized leaf damage. Records of this species were historically limited to Texas, though observations have expanded its known range.
Tebenna silphiella
rosinweed moth
Tebenna silphiella is a small moth in the family Choreutidae, commonly known as the rosinweed moth. It is restricted to prairie habitats in the central United States, where its larvae feed exclusively on Silphium integrifolium (rosinweed). The species has two generations per year, with adults active in May and larvae present from May through June.
Zygaenidae
burnet moths, forester moths, smoky moths, leaf skeletonizer moths
Zygaenidae is a family of approximately 1,000 species of diurnal moths in the superfamily Zygaenoidea. Adults are characterized by metallic coloration, often with red or yellow spots, and clubbed antennae. Members of this family are notable for their ability to produce and sequester hydrogen cyanide as a chemical defense throughout all life stages, making them among the few insects capable of synthesizing this toxin independently of dietary sources. The family includes seven subfamilies, with Zygaeninae (burnet moths) and Procridinae (forester moths) being the most frequently encountered in temperate regions, while Chalcosiinae dominates tropical faunas.