Bug FAQBeech Midget
Phyllonorycter maestingella · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Gracillariidae
Also called: Beech Leafminer
Source: Wikipedia
The adult moth is very small, with a wingspan of about 7 to 9 mm. Its wings show a detailed mix of orange-brown, black and white markings. Adults appear twice a year, flying in late spring and again in late summer.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
The moth’s wingspan ranges from 7 to 9 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
Is it a pest in the house?
Larvae create long blotch mines on the underside of beech leaves.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
It occurs across Europe, Russia and British Columbia in Canada.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
The adult moth is bivoltine, producing two generations per year depending on location.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
Adults are on the wing in May-June and again in August.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Its native range includes Europe, Russia and British Columbia, Canada.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 12 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Vermont, New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kansas.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Status: native in North America; native in Canada. Source: iNaturalist
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
What do the larvae feed on?
The larvae eat beech leaves, making mines on the leaf underside.
Source: Wikipedia
Where is this species found?
It lives in Europe, Russia and British Columbia, Canada.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Gracillariidae)
Horse-chestnut LeafminerCameraria ohridellaDamages trees, gardens or crops
Aspen Serpentine Leafminer MothPhyllocnistis populiellaDamages trees, gardens or crops
Phyllocnistis vitegenella complexPhyllocnistis vitegenellaDamages trees, gardens or crops
Locust Digitate Leafminer MothParectopa robiniellaDamages trees, gardens or crops
Poison Ivy Leaf-miner MothCameraria guttifinitella
Phyllocnistis insignisDamages trees, gardens or cropsSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phyllonorycter_maestingella
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-27 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-27.