Witch-hazel
Guides
Acronicta hamamelis
witch hazel dagger moth, puzzling dagger moth
Acronicta hamamelis is a noctuid moth first described by Achille Guenée in 1852. The species is closely associated with witch-hazel (Hamamelis), which serves as the larval host plant. It occurs in eastern North America, with records from Canada and the northeastern and mid-Atlantic United States. The common name "puzzling dagger moth" reflects historical identification challenges.
Argyrotaenia quercifoliana
Yellow-winged Oak Leafroller Moth
Argyrotaenia quercifoliana, the yellow-winged oak leafroller moth, is a small tortricid moth found in eastern North America. Adults fly from May to July and are attracted to light. The species is associated with oak and witch-hazel, with larvae feeding on leaves of these host plants. It is one of numerous leafroller moths in the genus Argyrotaenia, many of which are economically significant orchard pests.
Caloptilia superbifrontella
Witch-hazel Caloptilia
Caloptilia superbifrontella is a small moth in the family Gracillariidae, commonly known as the Witch-hazel Caloptilia. The species is restricted to eastern North America, with records from Canada (Québec and Nova Scotia) and the eastern and central United States. Larvae are leaf miners that feed exclusively on Hamamelis species, including witch-hazel and related shrubs.
Hamamelistes
Spiny Witch-Hazel Gall Aphid (for H. spinosus), Birch Blister Aphid (for H. betulinus)
Hamamelistes is a genus of gall-forming aphids in the tribe Hormaphidini, distributed disjunctly in eastern North America and Eurasia. Species in this genus induce pouch galls on host plants in the family Hamamelidaceae, particularly witch-hazel (Hamamelis spp.). Most species have host-alternating life cycles involving Hamamelis and birch (Betula spp.), though at least one species is presumed monoecious. The genus includes three described species: H. betulinus, H. cristafoliae, and H. spinosus, plus the recently described H. blackmani.
Hormaphis
witch hazel aphids, palm aphids
Hormaphis is a genus of gall-forming aphids in the family Aphididae, containing at least three described species distributed mainly in eastern North America. The genus includes the witch hazel cone gall aphid (H. hamamelidis), which induces distinctive cone-shaped galls on witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana). Species in this genus exhibit complex host plant manipulation, including alteration of host phenolic metabolism to create favorable gall environments. The life cycle involves a bet-hedging strategy where eggs hatch before host budbreak to ensure gall formation opportunities.
Hormaphis hamamelidis
Witch-hazel Cone Gall Aphid
Hormaphis hamamelidis is a gall-forming aphid that induces distinctive red, cone-shaped galls on witch-hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) leaves. The species exhibits host alternation, with sexual reproduction and gall formation on witch-hazel in spring, followed by migration to birch (Betula) for parthenogenetic summer generations, and return migration to witch-hazel in autumn. Founding females (fundatrices) actively manipulate host plant phenolic metabolism, increasing condensed tannins and decreasing hydrolyzable tannins within galls to enhance their own reproductive success. Gall size, determined largely by fundatrix manipulation of plant growth, is the primary predictor of fundatrix fecundity rather than leaf position or plant vigor per se.