Maple
Guides
Acericecis
maple gall midges
Acericecis is a genus of gall midges in the family Cecidomyiidae. The genus contains five described species, four extant and one known only from fossils. All extant species induce characteristic eyespot galls on maple (Acer) leaves. The genus was established by American entomologist Raymond Gagné in 1983, with Acericecis ocellaris as the type species. Species are restricted to the Holarctic region.
Acericecis ocellaris
ocellate gall midge, maple eyespot gall, maple leaf spot gall
Acericecis ocellaris is a gall midge that induces distinctive blister-like eyespot galls on maple leaves. The galls feature concentric rings of yellow and red pigments surrounding a central chamber where the larva feeds. This species is the type species of the genus Acericecis and was first described by Carl Robert Osten-Sacken in 1862. It completes a single generation per year, with adults emerging in spring to mate and oviposit on young maple foliage.
Acleris semiannula
Half-ringed Acleris Moth
Acleris semiannula is a small tortricid moth found across eastern and central North America. Adults are active year-round and have a wingspan of 12–15 mm. Larvae develop on three documented host plants: red maple, silver maple, and white oak. The species was originally described as Teras semiannula by Robinson in 1869.
Boisea trivittata
eastern boxelder bug, box bug, maple bug, adobe bug
Boisea trivittata, commonly known as the eastern boxelder bug, is a North American true bug in the family Rhopalidae. Despite being classified as 'scentless plant bugs,' this species produces defensive monoterpene hydrocarbons that deter predators. Adults are approximately 12-13 mm long with dark brown or black coloration marked by distinctive red wing veins and abdominal markings. The species undergoes incomplete metamorphosis, with bright red nymphs maturing to winged adults before winter. It is primarily associated with boxelder trees (Acer negundo), though it also occurs on other maples and ash trees.
Caloptilia acerifoliella
Caloptilia acerifoliella is a leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae. It is known from limited records in Colorado and Utah in the United States. The larvae feed on Acer species, creating blotch mines in leaves. The species was described by Chambers in 1875.
Cyrtepistomus castaneus
Asiatic oak weevil, Asian oak weevil
Cyrtepistomus castaneus, commonly known as the Asiatic oak weevil, is an invasive broad-nosed weevil native to Asia that was first detected in North America in 1933. Adults are folivores that feed on oak (Quercus) and red maple (Acer rubrum) leaves, while larvae develop in soil feeding on root hairs. The species has established widespread populations across eastern and central North America.
Drepanaphis acerifoliae
painted maple aphid
Drepanaphis acerifoliae, commonly known as the painted maple aphid, is a species of aphid in the family Aphididae. It is one of 16 species in the genus Drepanaphis, all native to North America. This species has the broadest geographic range among its congeners and is the only member of the genus known to have been introduced to Europe, where it has established populations in the Mediterranean region and beyond. Climate modeling suggests potential for further northward expansion in both North America and Europe over the coming decades.
Drepanosiphum
sycamore aphids, maple aphids
A genus of aphids in the family Aphididae, primarily associated with maple trees (Acer). Species include economically significant pests such as the sycamore aphid (D. platanoidis), which has been extensively studied for its complex life cycle involving wing dimorphism, seasonal polyphenism, and host-dependent reproductive strategies. The genus exhibits sophisticated flight behavior correlated with body size and wing loading, and serves as a model system for studying aphid population dynamics and predator-prey interactions.
Drepanosiphum oregonensis
Dark-streaked Maple Aphid
Drepanosiphum oregonensis is a North American aphid species described by Granovsky in 1939, commonly known as the Dark-streaked Maple Aphid. It belongs to the genus Drepanosiphum, which comprises aphids specialized on maple (Acer) host plants. The species is currently recognized as a synonym of Drepanosiphum oregonense in some taxonomic treatments. Very few observations exist in biodiversity databases, suggesting it may be uncommon, undercollected, or restricted to specific geographic regions.
Dryocampa
rosy maple moths
Dryocampa is a genus of small saturniid moths native to North America, containing approximately seven described species. The genus is best known for Dryocampa rubicunda, the rosy maple moth, recognized by its distinctive pink and yellow coloration. Larvae of this genus feed on maple trees (Acer species), with some species occasionally reaching outbreak densities that cause noticeable defoliation. Adults are typically nocturnal and possess reduced mouthparts, not feeding as adults.
Gypsonoma aceriana
poplar shoot-borer, Rosy Cloaked Shoot
Gypsonoma aceriana is a small tortricid moth whose larvae bore into poplar and maple shoots, causing economic damage in plantations and nurseries. Native to Europe, it ranges eastward through Russia to Turkey, Iraq, and North Africa. The species has been introduced to Japan, where it exhibits two to three generations annually. It is a significant pest of ornamental poplars, with older larvae destroying terminal shoots and causing bushy, unmarketable growth in young trees.
Neoprociphilus
Neoprociphilus is a genus of aphids in the family Aphididae, subfamily Pemphiginae. The genus was established by Patch in 1912. The best-known species, Neoprociphilus aceris, has been studied for its life history and morphology. Members of this genus are associated with maple trees (Acer).
Periphyllus
Periphyllus Aphids, maple aphids
Periphyllus is a genus of aphids in the family Aphididae, subfamily Chaitophorinae, containing more than 40 described species. Species in this genus are primarily associated with maple trees (Acer spp.), though some feed on related host plants such as Koelreuteria. Many species exhibit complex life cycles with polymorphic forms including viviparous females, aestivating dimorphs, and sexual morphs. Several species are invasive pests outside their native ranges, spreading with ornamental host plants.
Periphyllus testudinaceus
Common Maple Aphid
Periphyllus testudinaceus, known as the Common Maple Aphid, is a sap-feeding insect in the family Aphididae. It is associated with maple trees (Acer species) and has been documented across parts of Europe. The species exhibits typical aphid morphology with soft bodies and piercing-sucking mouthparts adapted for extracting plant fluids.
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 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.
Pococera asperatella
Maple Webworm Moth
Pococera asperatella, commonly known as the maple webworm moth, is a pyralid moth native to North America. Adults are characterized by their powdery gray coloration. The species has one generation per year. Larvae feed on foliage of hardwood trees, particularly maple (Acer) and sumac (Rhus) species. The caterpillars are known prey of the four-toothed mason wasp (Monobia quadridens), which paralyzes them to provision its nest cells.
Proteoteras aesculana
maple twig borer, maple tip moth, early proteoteras, Maple Twig Borer Moth
Proteoteras aesculana is a small tortricid moth known as the maple twig borer or maple tip moth. It is a significant pest of maple trees in production nurseries, where larval feeding causes tip dieback and kills the central leader. The species has a broad North American distribution spanning from coast to coast in the northern United States and scattered locations across southern Canada.
Synanthedon acerrubri
Maple Clearwing Moth, Red Maple Borer
Synanthedon acerrubri is a clearwing moth in the family Sesiidae, commonly known as the maple clearwing moth or red maple borer. The species is a wood-boring pest of maple trees in eastern North America. Adults are diurnal and wasp-mimicking in appearance, with transparent wings and banded abdomens. Larvae tunnel into the trunks and branches of host trees, causing structural damage.
Xiphydria maculata
Spotted Wood Wasp
Xiphydria maculata is a wood wasp in the family Xiphydriidae. Adults are known to visit flowers for nectar. The larvae develop as borers in dead or dying hardwood trees, particularly maple and other deciduous species. This species is part of a group of primitive wasps that lack the narrow waist characteristic of most other Hymenoptera.