Microlepidoptera
Guides
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 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.
Pelochrista argenteana
Pelochrista argenteana is a tortricid moth in the subfamily Olethreutinae, first described by Walsingham in 1895. The species belongs to a large genus of small moths commonly known as shoot borers or fruitworms. It has been documented in western Canadian provinces including Alberta and Saskatchewan. Like other members of the genus, it is presumed to have larvae that feed internally in plant tissues, though specific host associations for this species remain unverified.
Pelochrista conspiciendana
Pelochrista conspiciendana is a species of tortricid moth in the family Tortricidae, subfamily Olethreutinae, and tribe Eucosmini. Described by Heinrich in 1923, this species belongs to a large genus of small moths commonly known as tortrix moths or leafroller moths. The genus Pelochrista contains numerous species, many of which are poorly known and difficult to distinguish without detailed examination. Available records indicate this species has been documented through citizen science observations, though specific biological details remain limited.
Pelochrista dapsilis
Pelochrista dapsilis is a species of tortricid moth in the family Tortricidae, subfamily Olethreutinae, and tribe Eucosmini. It was described by Carl Heinrich in 1929. Like other members of its genus, it is a small moth with typical tortricid morphology. The species is part of a large and diverse genus of tortricid moths found primarily in the Holarctic region.
Pelochrista denverana
Pelochrista denverana is a species of tortricid moth in the family Tortricidae, first described by Kearfott in 1907. It belongs to the large genus Pelochrista, which contains numerous small moth species. The species is part of the Olethreutinae subfamily and Eucosmini tribe. Very few specific details about its biology or ecology have been documented in the available literature.
Pelochrista dilatana
Pelochrista dilatana is a species of tortricid moth in the tribe Eucosmini, first described by Walsingham in 1895. The genus Pelochrista comprises numerous small moth species, many of which are poorly documented in terms of biology and ecology. This species belongs to a diverse group of tortricids commonly referred to as shoot borers or fruit borers, though specific life history details for P. dilatana remain limited in published literature.
Pelochrista invicta
Pelochrista invicta is a species of tortricid moth in the family Tortricidae, subfamily Olethreutinae. It was described by Walsingham in 1895. The genus Pelochrista belongs to the tribe Eucosmini, a group of small moths commonly known as tortrix moths or leafroller moths. Very little specific information is documented about this particular species.
Pelochrista olivacea
Pelochrista olivacea is a species of tortricid moth described by Wright and Gilligan in 2017. It belongs to the genus Pelochrista, a diverse group of small moths within the family Tortricidae. The species is part of the subfamily Olethreutinae and tribe Eucosmini. As a recently described species, detailed biological information remains limited.
Pelochrista salaciana
Pelochrista salaciana is a species of tortricid moth described by Blanchard and Knudson in 1982. It belongs to the genus Pelochrista, a diverse group of small moths within the family Tortricidae. The species is part of the subfamily Olethreutinae and tribe Eucosmini. Limited published information exists on its biology and distribution.
Pelochrista wagneri
Pelochrista wagneri is a species of tortricid moth described by Wright & Gilligan in 2017. It belongs to the large genus Pelochrista within the subfamily Olethreutinae. The species is part of a diverse radiation of small moths commonly known as leafroller moths. As a recently described species, detailed biological information remains limited.
Perittia
Perittia is a genus of small moths in the family Elachistidae, first described by Stainton in 1854. The genus has a broad geographic distribution spanning Eurasia, Africa, Hawaii, and the Americas. Taxonomic revision work by Lauri Kaila and others has clarified relationships within the genus, including the synonymization of Onceroptila with Perittia. Species-level taxonomy has been particularly studied in North America, the West Palaearctic, and South America.
Perittia serica
Perittia serica is a small moth in the family Elachistidae, first described by Kaila in 1995. The species is known only from Colorado, with forewings measuring approximately 6 mm in length. Very little is known about its biology, ecology, or life history.
Petrophila heppneri
Heppner's Petrophila
Petrophila heppneri is a small moth species in the family Crambidae, described in 1983 by André Blanchard and Edward C. Knudson. The species is known from Texas, where it inhabits riparian and aquatic-associated habitats typical of the genus Petrophila. Like other members of this genus, the larvae are presumed to be aquatic and feed on algae. Adults are nocturnal and can be attracted to light. The specific epithet honors Dr. J. B. Heppner, a lepidopterist who contributed significantly to the study of North American microlepidoptera.
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 hyperpersea
Phyllocnistis hyperpersea is a microlepidopteran moth in the family Gracillariidae, described by Davis & Wagner in 2011. The species is notable for its distinctive leafmining behavior on Persea species, creating serpentine galleries on the upper leaf surface with an unusually broad median frass trail. Its specific name references this habit of mining on the upperside (hyper) of Persea leaves.
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 liquidambarisella
Phyllocnistis liquidambarisella is a microlepidopteran moth in the family Gracillariidae, specialized as a leafminer on sweetgum trees (Liquidambar styraciflua). The species creates distinctive, winding linear mines on the upper surface of host leaves, leaving an indistinct trail without a central frass line. It is known from the eastern and southern United States, with records spanning from New York to Florida and west to Texas.
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 subpersea
Phyllocnistis subpersea is a microlepidopteran moth in the family Gracillariidae, described in 2011. Adults are tiny, with forewings measuring 2–2.7 mm. The species is a specialist leafminer on Persea borbonia, creating distinctive serpentine mines on the undersides of leaves. Its specific name references this sub-leaf mining habit. The species has a restricted known distribution in southeastern United States coastal regions.
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.
Phyllocnistis vitifoliella
Phyllocnistis vitifoliella is a microlepidopteran moth in the family Gracillariidae. It is known from Québec and multiple U.S. states including Wisconsin, California, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, New York, Texas, Vermont, Kentucky, and Illinois. The species belongs to a genus whose larvae are leafminers, though specific host associations for this species remain poorly documented.
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 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 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 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 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 elmaella
western tentiform leafminer
Phyllonorycter elmaella, the western tentiform leafminer, is a small moth in the family Gracillariidae. It is a documented pest of apple (Malus) in commercial orchards across western North America. Larvae create tentiform (blotch-shaped) mines within apple leaves, feeding between the upper and lower epidermis. The species serves as host to a diverse community of parasitoid wasps, with at least 14 species recorded, supporting natural biological control in orchard ecosystems.
Phyllonorycter insignis
Phyllonorycter insignis is a minute leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae, known from disjunct populations in California and Maine, United States. The species has a wingspan of approximately 9 mm. Larvae are specialized herbivores that create blotch mines within the leaves of host plants in the genera Erechtites and Ceanothus.
Phyllonorycter intermixta
leaf blotch miner moth
Phyllonorycter intermixta is a small leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae. The species is known from a limited range in northeastern North America, including Québec and several New England and midwestern U.S. states. Larvae are specialized herbivores that create blotch mines in leaves of American hazelnut. Adults are tiny moths attracted to light.
Phyllonorycter kearfottella
Phyllonorycter kearfottella is a minute leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae, with a wingspan of approximately 7 mm. The species is restricted to the eastern and northwestern United States, where its larvae create blotch mines on leaves of Castanea species. It was described by Annette Braun in 1908.
Phyllonorycter leucothorax
Phyllonorycter leucothorax is a micro-moth species in the family Gracillariidae, commonly known as leaf blotch miner moths. The genus is characterized by extremely small adult size and larval stages that mine within leaves. This species was described by Walsingham in 1907 and is known from the western United States.
Phyllonorycter lucetiella
Basswood Miner Moth
Phyllonorycter lucetiella is a micro-moth in the family Gracillariidae, commonly known as the Basswood Miner Moth. Adults are extremely small with a wingspan of 6–7 mm. The species is native to eastern North America, where larvae create distinctive tentiform leaf mines on host plants. It is one of many Phyllonorycter species specialized in mining leaves of deciduous trees.
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 maestingella
Beech Midget
Phyllonorycter maestingella is a minute leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae. The species is bivoltine, with adults flying in spring and late summer. Larvae are specialized miners of beech leaves, creating distinctive blotch mines on the leaf underside. The species has a transcontinental distribution spanning Europe, Russia, and western North America.
Phyllonorycter mariaeella
Phyllonorycter mariaeella is a micro-moth in the family Gracillariidae, commonly known as leaf blotch miner moths. The species is known from limited localities in Canada and the United States. Larvae are leaf miners that feed on species of Symphoricarpos (coralberry/snowberry). Adults are tiny, with a wingspan of 8-8.5 mm.
Phyllonorycter mildredae
A small leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae, described in 2001. Adults have forewings 2.4–3 mm in length. The species is likely more widespread than current records indicate, with confirmed reports from Washington D.C., Kentucky, and Ohio. Larvae create blotch mines on leaves of poplars and willows.
Phyllonorycter ostryaefoliella
Wrinkled Hophornbeam Blotch Miner Moth
Phyllonorycter ostryaefoliella is a minute moth in the family Gracillariidae, known from eastern North America. Adults have a wingspan of 6–6.5 mm. The species is specialized on Ostrya species as larval hosts, with larvae mining the leaves of their host plant.
Phyllonorycter propinquinella
cherry blotch miner moth, cherry blotchminer
Phyllonorycter propinquinella is a microlepidopteran moth in the family Gracillariidae, commonly known as the cherry blotch miner moth. It is a leaf-mining species whose larvae feed on black cherry (Prunus serotina). The species is restricted to northeastern North America, with records from Canada and the eastern United States.