Tamarisk
Guides
Diorhabda sublineata
Subtropical Tamarisk Beetle, Saltcedar Beetle, Saltcedar Leaf Beetle, Tamarisk Leaf Beetle
Diorhabda sublineata is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, commonly known as the subtropical tamarisk beetle. Originally described from Algeria in 1849, it was restored to full species status in 2009 after being treated as a subspecies or synonym of D. elongata for over a century. It is a specialist feeder on tamarisk (Tamarix spp.) and has been introduced to North America as a biological control agent against invasive saltcedar. The species is particularly adapted to subtropical and Mediterranean climates.
Ornativalva
A genus of small moths in the family Gelechiidae, containing approximately 50 described species arranged into seven species groups. Most species occur in arid and semi-arid regions of the Palearctic, with particular diversity in the Mediterranean, North Africa, Central Asia, and China. Several species have been documented as significant pests of tamarisk shrubs.