Lana'i Sandalwood Moth vs Elm Zigzag Sawfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Lana'i Sandalwood Moth Elm Zigzag Sawfly
Scientific Name Iliahia pahulu Aproceros leucopoda
Order Lepidoptera Hymenoptera
Family Gracillariidae Argidae
Size 5-8 mm wingspan 5-7 mm
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Woodlands
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Oceania East Asia, invasive in Europe
Conservation Critically Endangered Least Concern

Lana'i Sandalwood Moth

A critically endangered moth discovered in 2026, known only from a small grove of roughly 30 sandalwood trees on the island of Lanai. Its larvae mine sandalwood leaves.

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Did You Know?

This moth is known from just one grove of 30 trees — if those sandalwood trees disappear, this entire species vanishes with them.

Elm Zigzag Sawfly

A small, pale green sawfly of East Asian origin that has become invasive in Europe. Larvae create distinctive zigzag feeding patterns on elm leaves.

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Did You Know?

This species reproduces entirely by parthenogenesis in its invasive range; males have never been found in Europe.