Dialectica scalariella/aemula (Echium Leaf Miners)

The forewings of the adult moths have a brown front half, and a white rear half, with a wavy line separating the halves. The head and thorax have white dorsal patches. The wingspan is about 0.8 cm. Dialectica aemula is a native species also occuring across south-east Asia. Dialectica scalariella occurs in Europe, and started being introduced in 1980 to control Paterson's Curse (Boraginaceae). The caterpillars of both species are leaf miners of Boraginaceae. The adults are superficially indistinguishable. D. aemula has a yellowish inner cocoon, whereas for D. scalariella it is white.

Regional distribution

Dialectica scalariella/aemula is listed in the following regions: