Firethorn Leaf Miner vs Willow Calligrapha
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Firethorn Leaf Miner | Willow Calligrapha |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Phyllonorycter leucographella | Calligrapha multipunctata bigsbyana |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Gracillariidae | Chrysomelidae |
| Size | 7-8 mm wingspan | 7-9 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Wetlands |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Southern Europe, spreading north | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Firethorn Leaf Miner
A tiny moth whose larvae create blister mines on pyracantha leaves. Originally from southern Europe, it has spread rapidly northward. Mines cause silvery blotches on leaves.
Did You Know?
First recorded in Britain in 1989 and spread across the country within a decade on planted pyracantha hedges.
Willow Calligrapha
A subspecies of Calligrapha with pale elytra marked with elongated dark spots and dashes. It is associated with willow trees along waterways in North America.
Did You Know?
Calligrapha beetles are a model system for studying pattern formation in biology, as no two individuals share the same elytral markings.