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Digital Guide to Moth Identification

Gracillariidae 33a0290 – 0726.1   Phyllonorycter alaskana Deschka, 1982

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Distribution: Eastern Canada to Alaska. Larva and Host Plants: Host familiy: Betulaceae.  Host genera: Alnus.  Host extended: leaf miner genus (Davis & Deschka 2001); tentiform mines (Eiseman 2020).  (Kimberley & Douglas 2025) Similar Species: Pinned specimens of related species. (Hint: select View by Region on the related species page.) Synonymy: alaskana Deschka, 1982 (Phyllonorycter) - MONA 1983: [NEW]; Holotype: "2 mi. N of Palmers, Alaska, U.S.A.". Taxonomic Notes: There are two BIN groups at BOLD for this species. DNA separates them by nearly 2%, so it is possible that one represents an undescribed species. Both have specimens ranging from QC to western YT. MPG treats both as alaskana pending future work.

References (Caution: DNA barcoding at BOLD provides evidence of relatedness, not proof of identification; some BOLD specimens shown may not be sequenced.)

Barcode of Life (BOLD) - Caution: Identifications often erroneous; DNA barcode provides evidence of relatedness, not proof of identification; many specimens not sequenced. Deschka, G., 1982. Entomofauna, 3(17): 251; figs. 18-22. (PDF) Shropshire, K.J. & D.W. Tallamy, 2025. Lepidoptera of North America, north of Mexico: an annotated list containing geographic ranges and host-plant records. ZooKeys, 1261: 101-113; Suppl. 1. (PDF or read online) Species Page at Mass Moths Species Page at iNaturalist

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