Bug FAQLilac Leafminer Moth
Gracillaria syringella · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Gracillariidae
Also called: Common Slender
Source: Wikipedia
The lilac leafminer moth has a wingspan of about 10 to 13 mm and its forewings show a pattern of yellow-brown, white and dark markings.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
Forewings are light yellow-brown with whitish and dark streaks near the base, an interrupted oblique band near one-quarter length, a somewhat angled middle band, and several small white spots edged in black near the apex. Hindwings are a rather dark grey.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
The moth’s wingspan ranges from 10 to 13 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
It occurs in Europe and has been introduced to North America.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
Caterpillars feed on the leaves of ash (Fraxinus), privet (Ligustrum) and lilac (Syringa).
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
Adults are active in May and July, depending on the region.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Its native range is Europe.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 14 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Vermont, Michigan, Washington, Minnesota, Maine, Massachusetts, Alaska, New Hampshire.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
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/Gracillaria_syringella
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.