Microlepidoptera
Encyclopedia
Microlepidoptera is an artificial (i.e., unranked and not monophyletic) grouping of moth
families, commonly known as the 'smaller moths' (Micro
, lepidoptera
). These generally have a wingspan of under 20 mm, and are thus harder to identify by external phenotypic
markings than macrolepidoptera
. They present some life styles larger lepidoptera do not have, but this is not an identifying mark. Some hobbyists further divide this group into separate groups, such as leaf miner
s or rollers, stem or root borers, and then usually follow the more rigorous scientific taxonomy of lepidoptera. Efforts to stabilize the term have usually proven inadequate.
Vernacular
usage divides the lepidoptera simply into smaller and larger or into more-primitive and less-primitive groups: Microlepidoptera and Macrolepidoptera respectively. Intuitively, the "micros" are any lepidopteran not currently placed in the Macrolepidoptera
. This paraphyletic assemblage however includes also the superfamilies Zygaenoidea
, Sesioidea
and Cossoidea
that would in common parlance normally be lumped with the "macros". A lepidopterist might call these groups 'primitive macros'. Furthermore, even all of the non-ditrysia
n moths are not small. For example, the Hepialidae
or "swift moths" (up to 25 cm wingspan) fall quite basally
in the lepidopteran "tree of life". The recently discovered primitive superfamily Andesianoidea is another case in point: lurking within the Cossidae
until 2001, these moths have up to an order of magnitude greater wingspan (5.5 cm) than most previously known monotrysia
n "micros". Whilst the smaller moths are usually also more seldom noticed, a more expansive "non-macrolepidoptera
n" concept of the Microlepidoptera would include about 37 out of the approximately 47 superfamilies.
Whilst usually less popular, micros are thus more important in the sense that they include a much wider span of the "tree of life" (i.e., phylogenetic diversity). Whereas they include no butterflies, micros do also include a surprising number of day-flying groups, and the advent of online identification resources in many countries (e.g. "UK moths"http://www.ukmoths.org.uk) combined with the widespread use of digital macrophotography is making them much easier to identify.
aquatic (e.g. Acentropinae
). They have a wide variety of feeding habits in both larval and adult
life stages. Caterpillars feed on a wide variety of plant tissue and across a wide spectrum of plant groups from liverworts to angiosperms. They are either external feeders ("exophagous") or more usually feed internally ("endophagous"), typically as miners
or tunnellers, but some feed on fungi, scavenge on dead animals, are parasitoids usually of other insects (some Zygaenoidea
) or are detritivore
s, and Hyposmocoma molluscivora
even feeds on live snails. Adult moths feed with mandibles on spores and pollen (Micropterigidae
) on dew (e.g. Eriocraniidae), with their proboscises on nectar (many groups e.g. Choreutidae
) or are simply non-feeding with mouthparts
reduced or absent. Many smaller moths are considered economic pests, causing damage to plants as well as fabrics and other man-made goods. Commonly noticed "micros" include the plume moth
and the clothes moth.
and ecological abundance. The first four superfamilies listed here may comprise 90% of species in a sample of smaller moths and the listed characters may be of some assistance to sort these out, particularly the form of the labial palp and scaling
of the proboscis (Robinson et al. 2001).
1. Curved horn moths, twirler moths, case-bearers and allies. 16,250 spp.
2. Pyralids, snout moths and grass moths. 16,000 spp.
3. Tortrix moths, leaf-roller moths, bell moths, codling moths and allies. 6,200 spp.
4. Clothes moths, bagworms and allies. 4,200 spp.
5, 6. Leaf miner moths. 3,200 spp.
7. Ermine moths, webworm moths, yucca moths and allies. 1,500 spp.
8, 9. Plume moths. 1,160 spp.
10. Tropical leaf moths or picture-winged moths. >1000 spp.
Small mainly dayflying moths:
11. Fairy moths, longhorn moths and allies. 600 spp.
12. Metalmark moths. 402 spp.
13. Mandibulate archaic moths. 180 spp.
14. Sparkling archaic sun moths or spring jewel moths. 24 spp.
Superfamilies less likely to be encountered:
15. Tropical fruitworm moths. 318 spp.
16. Fringe tufted moths. 83 spp.
17. Blackberry leaf skeletonizer and allies. 8 spp.
18. Immid moths. 250 spp.
19. False burnet moths. 60 spp.
20. Tropical teak moths. 20 spp.
21. Whalley's Malagasy moths. 2 spp.
More rarely encountered "primitive" families:
22. Kauri pine moths. 2 spp.
22. Southern beech moths or Valdivian archaic moths. 9 spp.
23. Archaic sun moths. 4 spp.
24. Australian archaic sun moths. 6 spp.
25. Archaic bell moths. 12 spp.
26. New Zealand endemic moths. 7 spp.
27. Gondwanaland moths. 60 spp.
28. Trumpet leaf miner moths. 107 spp.
29. Simaethistid moths. 4 spp.
30. Galacticoid moths or webworm moths. 17 spp.
' is not a recommended name for these as it may create confusion of their placement in some classification systems.
31. Swift moths and allies. 544 spp.
Unassigned to superfamily:
32. Meyrick's Mystic Moth. 1 sp.
Large monotrysia
n micros:
33. Andean endemic moths. 3 spp.
Large ditrysia
n micros (formerly 'primitive macros'):
34. Burnet moths, slug moths, hag moths, glass moths and allies. 2,600 spp.
35. Clearwing moths, castniid moths, little bear moths and allies. 1,300 spp.
36, 37. Goat or carpenter moths and allies. 676 spp.
Moth
A moth is an insect closely related to the butterfly, both being of the order Lepidoptera. Moths form the majority of this order; there are thought to be 150,000 to 250,000 different species of moth , with thousands of species yet to be described...
families, commonly known as the 'smaller moths' (Micro
Micro
Micro is a prefix in the metric system denoting a factor of 10-6 . Confirmed in 1960, the prefix comes from the Greek , meaning "small".The symbol for the prefix is the Greek letter μ...
, lepidoptera
Lepidoptera
Lepidoptera is a large order of insects that includes moths and butterflies . It is one of the most widespread and widely recognizable insect orders in the world, encompassing moths and the three superfamilies of butterflies, skipper butterflies, and moth-butterflies...
). These generally have a wingspan of under 20 mm, and are thus harder to identify by external phenotypic
Phenotype
A phenotype is an organism's observable characteristics or traits: such as its morphology, development, biochemical or physiological properties, behavior, and products of behavior...
markings than macrolepidoptera
Macrolepidoptera
Macrolepidoptera is a group within the insect order Lepidoptera. Traditionally used for the larger butterflies and moths as opposed to the "Microlepidoptera", this group is unnatural. However, it seems that by moving some taxa about, a monophyletic Macrolepidoptera can be easily achieved...
. They present some life styles larger lepidoptera do not have, but this is not an identifying mark. Some hobbyists further divide this group into separate groups, such as leaf miner
Leaf miner
Leaf miner is a term used to describe the larvae of many different species of insect which live in and eat the leaf tissue of plants. The vast majority of leaf-mining insects are moths , sawflies and flies , though some beetles and wasps also exhibit this behavior.Like Woodboring beetles, leaf...
s or rollers, stem or root borers, and then usually follow the more rigorous scientific taxonomy of lepidoptera. Efforts to stabilize the term have usually proven inadequate.
Vernacular
Vernacular
A vernacular is the native language or native dialect of a specific population, as opposed to a language of wider communication that is not native to the population, such as a national language or lingua franca.- Etymology :The term is not a recent one...
usage divides the lepidoptera simply into smaller and larger or into more-primitive and less-primitive groups: Microlepidoptera and Macrolepidoptera respectively. Intuitively, the "micros" are any lepidopteran not currently placed in the Macrolepidoptera
Macrolepidoptera
Macrolepidoptera is a group within the insect order Lepidoptera. Traditionally used for the larger butterflies and moths as opposed to the "Microlepidoptera", this group is unnatural. However, it seems that by moving some taxa about, a monophyletic Macrolepidoptera can be easily achieved...
. This paraphyletic assemblage however includes also the superfamilies Zygaenoidea
Zygaenoidea
Zygaenoidea is the superfamily of moths that includes burnet moths, forester moths, and relatives.The families are:* Aididae* Anomoeotidae* Cyclotornidae* Dalceridae* Epipyropidae* Heterogynidae* Himantopteridae* Lacturidae* Limacodidae...
, Sesioidea
Sesioidea
Sesioidea is the superfamily currently containing clearwing moths , castniid moths and little bear moths . There is evidence from head and thoracic morphology that the first two families, internally feeding in plants as caterpillars, are sisters, whilst some brachodids are known to feed on leaf...
and Cossoidea
Cossoidea
Cossoidea is the superfamily of moths that includes carpenter moths and relatives. Like their likely sister group Sesioidea they are internal feeders and have spiny pupae with moveable segments to allow them to extrude out of their exit holes in stems and trunks during emergence of the adult .The...
that would in common parlance normally be lumped with the "macros". A lepidopterist might call these groups 'primitive macros'. Furthermore, even all of the non-ditrysia
Ditrysia
The Ditrysia are a natural group or clade of insects in the Lepidopteran order containing both butterflies and moths. They are so named because the female has two distinct sexual openings: one for mating, and the other for laying eggs .About 98% of described species of Lepidoptera belong to Ditrysia...
n moths are not small. For example, the Hepialidae
Hepialidae
The Hepialidae is a family of insects in the lepidopteran order. Moths of this family are often referred to as swift moths or ghost moths.-Taxonomy and systematics:...
or "swift moths" (up to 25 cm wingspan) fall quite basally
Basal (phylogenetics)
In phylogenetics, a basal clade is the earliest clade to branch in a larger clade; it appears at the base of a cladogram.A basal group forms an outgroup to the rest of the clade, such as in the following example:...
in the lepidopteran "tree of life". The recently discovered primitive superfamily Andesianoidea is another case in point: lurking within the Cossidae
Cossidae
Cossidae, the cossid millers or carpenter millers, make up a family of mostly large miller moths. Ths family contains over 110 genera with almost 700 known species, and many more species await description...
until 2001, these moths have up to an order of magnitude greater wingspan (5.5 cm) than most previously known monotrysia
Monotrysia
The Monotrysia is a group of insects in the Lepidopteran order which is not currently considered to be a natural group or clade. The group contains only moths and most of these are small and are relatively understudied in many regions of the world...
n "micros". Whilst the smaller moths are usually also more seldom noticed, a more expansive "non-macrolepidoptera
Macrolepidoptera
Macrolepidoptera is a group within the insect order Lepidoptera. Traditionally used for the larger butterflies and moths as opposed to the "Microlepidoptera", this group is unnatural. However, it seems that by moving some taxa about, a monophyletic Macrolepidoptera can be easily achieved...
n" concept of the Microlepidoptera would include about 37 out of the approximately 47 superfamilies.
Whilst usually less popular, micros are thus more important in the sense that they include a much wider span of the "tree of life" (i.e., phylogenetic diversity). Whereas they include no butterflies, micros do also include a surprising number of day-flying groups, and the advent of online identification resources in many countries (e.g. "UK moths"http://www.ukmoths.org.uk) combined with the widespread use of digital macrophotography is making them much easier to identify.
Life style
Microlepidoptera can be found in a broad variety of habitats and ecological niches worldwide, both terrestrial and freshwaterFreshwater
Fresh water is naturally occurring water on the Earth's surface in ice sheets, ice caps, glaciers, bogs, ponds, lakes, rivers and streams, and underground as groundwater in aquifers and underground streams. Fresh water is generally characterized by having low concentrations of dissolved salts and...
aquatic (e.g. Acentropinae
Pyralidae
The Pyralidae or snout moths are a family of Lepidoptera in the ditrysian superfamily Pyraloidea. In many classifications, the grass moths are included in the Pyralidae as a subfamily, making the combined group one of the largest families in the Lepidoptera...
). They have a wide variety of feeding habits in both larval and adult
Imago
In biology, the imago is the last stage of development of an insect, after the last ecdysis of an incomplete metamorphosis, or after emergence from the pupa where the metamorphosis is complete...
life stages. Caterpillars feed on a wide variety of plant tissue and across a wide spectrum of plant groups from liverworts to angiosperms. They are either external feeders ("exophagous") or more usually feed internally ("endophagous"), typically as miners
Leaf miner
Leaf miner is a term used to describe the larvae of many different species of insect which live in and eat the leaf tissue of plants. The vast majority of leaf-mining insects are moths , sawflies and flies , though some beetles and wasps also exhibit this behavior.Like Woodboring beetles, leaf...
or tunnellers, but some feed on fungi, scavenge on dead animals, are parasitoids usually of other insects (some Zygaenoidea
Zygaenoidea
Zygaenoidea is the superfamily of moths that includes burnet moths, forester moths, and relatives.The families are:* Aididae* Anomoeotidae* Cyclotornidae* Dalceridae* Epipyropidae* Heterogynidae* Himantopteridae* Lacturidae* Limacodidae...
) or are detritivore
Detritivore
Detritivores, also known as detritophages or detritus feeders or detritus eaters or saprophages, are heterotrophs that obtain nutrients by consuming detritus . By doing so, they contribute to decomposition and the nutrient cycles...
s, and Hyposmocoma molluscivora
Hyposmocoma molluscivora
Hyposmocoma molluscivora is a Hawaiian moth whose larvae are predators, capturing snails in their silk, much like a hunting spider's web, and then crawling inside the snail's shell to eat it alive...
even feeds on live snails. Adult moths feed with mandibles on spores and pollen (Micropterigidae
Micropterigidae
Micropterigoidea is the superfamily of "mandibulate archaic moths", all placed in the single family Micropterigidae, containing currently about 20 living genera. They are considered the most primitive extant lineage of Lepidoptera ....
) on dew (e.g. Eriocraniidae), with their proboscises on nectar (many groups e.g. Choreutidae
Choreutidae
Choreutidae, or "metalmark moths," are a family of insects in the lepidopteran order whose relationships have been long disputed. It was placed previously in the superfamily Yponomeutoidea in family Glyphipterigidae and in superfamily Sesioidea. It is now considered to represent its own superfamily...
) or are simply non-feeding with mouthparts
Insect mouthparts
Insects exhibit a range of mouthparts, adapted to particular modes of feeding. The earliest insects had chewing mouthparts...
reduced or absent. Many smaller moths are considered economic pests, causing damage to plants as well as fabrics and other man-made goods. Commonly noticed "micros" include the plume moth
Plume moth
The Pterophoridae or plume moths are a family of Lepidoptera with unusually modified wings. Though they belong to the Apoditrysia like the larger moths and the butterflies, unlike these they are tiny and were formerly included among the assemblage called "Microlepidoptera".-Description and...
and the clothes moth.
Main groups
The list below is ordered initially in approximate order of species diversityBiodiversity
Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or an entire planet. Biodiversity is a measure of the health of ecosystems. Biodiversity is in part a function of climate. In terrestrial habitats, tropical regions are typically rich whereas polar regions...
and ecological abundance. The first four superfamilies listed here may comprise 90% of species in a sample of smaller moths and the listed characters may be of some assistance to sort these out, particularly the form of the labial palp and scaling
Scale (zoology)
In most biological nomenclature, a scale is a small rigid plate that grows out of an animal's skin to provide protection. In lepidopteran species, scales are plates on the surface of the insect wing, and provide coloration...
of the proboscis (Robinson et al. 2001).
1. Curved horn moths, twirler moths, case-bearers and allies. 16,250 spp.
- GelechioideaGelechioidea| name = Curved-horn moths| image = Xylorycta assimilis.jpg| image_width = 240px| image_caption = Adult Xylorycta assimilis of the Xyloryctidae, photographed in Aranda Note prominent "horns" and long antennae| regnum = Animalia| phylum = Arthropoda...
Head smooth-scaled, labial palps usually are slender, recurved, with the terminal segment long and pointed; the long proboscis bears scales on basal half. Resting posture very varied.- GelechiidaeGelechiidaeGelechiidae is a family of moths commonly referred to as twirler moths or gelechiid moths. They are the namesake family of the huge and little-studied superfamily Gelechioidea, and the Gelechiidae's relationships with and delimitation against their relatives have been subject to considerable...
Twirler moths - OecophoridaeOecophoridaeOecophoridae is a family of small moths in the superfamily Gelechioidea. The phylogeny and systematics of gelechoid moths are still not fully resolved, and the circumscription of the Oecophoridae is strongly affected by this....
Concealer moths - LecithoceridaeLecithoceridaeLecithoceridae is a family of small moths. Although lecithocerids are found throughout the world, the great majority are found in the Indomalaya ecozone and the southern part of the Palaearctic ecozone.-Systematics:...
Tropical longhorned moths - CosmopterigidaeCosmopterigidaeCosmopterigidae is a family of insects in the Lepidoptera order. These are small moths with narrow wings whose tiny larvae feed internally on the leaves, seeds, stems, etc of their host plants. There are about 1,500 described species...
Cosmet Moths - ColeophoridaeColeophoridae| name = Case-bearers| image = Coleophoridae-01 .jpg| image_width = 240px| image_caption = Adult of an unidentified case-bearer species| regnum = Animalia| phylum = Arthropoda| classis = Insecta| ordo = Lepidoptera| superfamilia = Gelechioidea...
Case-bearers - ElachistidaeElachistidae| image = Elachista rufocinerea 2.jpg| image_width = 240px| image_caption = Adult Elachista rufocinerea,demonstrating its tiny size versus an aphid and a spider mite | regnum = Animalia| phylum = Arthropoda| classis = Insecta...
Grass-miner miners - MomphidaeMomphidaeMomphidae is a family of moths. These tend to be rather small moths with a wingspan of up to 21 mm. The wings are held folded over the body at rest...
Mompha moths - EthmiidaeEthmiidaeEthmiidae is a family of small moths in the superfamily Gelechioidea. It is sometimes included in the Elachistidae or the Oecophoridae as a subfamily Ethmiinae.-Genera:...
- BlastobasidaeBlastobasidaeBlastobasidae is a family of moths in the superfamily Gelechioidea. Its species can be found almost anywhere in the world, though in some places they are not native but introduced by humans. In some arrangements, these moths are included in the case-bearer family as subfamily Blastobasinae...
Scavenger moths - BatrachedridaeBatrachedridaeBatrachedridae is a small family of moths. These are small, slender moths which rest with the wings wrapped tightly around the body. The taxonomy of this and related groups is often disputed...
Flower moths - ScythrididaeScythrididaeScythrididae is a family of small moths in the superfamily Gelechioidea. The family is sometimes included in the Xyloryctidae as a subfamily Scythridinae, but the Xyloryctidae themselves have sometimes been included in the Oecophoridae as subfamily...
Flower moths - PterolonchidaePterolonchidaePterolonchidae is a small family of moths in the superfamily Gelechioidea.Genera of Pterolonchidae include:* Phthinostoma Meyrick, 1914* Pterolonche Zeller, 1847-References:...
Lance-wing moths - SymmocidaeSymmocidaeThe Symmocidae are a family of moths in the superfamily Gelechioidea. These small moths are found mainly in the Palearctic and Africa.They have traditionally been considered close relatives of the Blastobasidae, where they were sometimes included as subfamily Symmocinae...
- AgonoxenidaeAgonoxenidaeThe Agonoxenidae are a family of moths only contains four named species in the whole world – all in the type genus Agonoxena – if the Blastodacnidae are considered to be a separate family...
Palm moths - HolcopogonidaeHolcopogonidae| regnum = Animalia| phylum = Arthropoda| classis = Insecta| ordo = Lepidoptera| subordo = Glossata| infraordo = Heteroneura| zoodivisio = Ditrysia| superfamilia = Gelechioidea| familia = Holcopogonidae | familia_authority = Gozmany, 1967...
- MetachandidaeMetachandidaeMetachandidae is a small family of moths containing a single genus, Metachanda.-Species:*Metachanda aldabrella*Metachanda anomalella*Metachanda argentinigrella*Metachanda astrapias*Metachanda autocentra...
- Gelechiidae
2. Pyralids, snout moths and grass moths. 16,000 spp.
- PyraloideaPyraloideaThe Pyraloidea are a moth superfamily containing about 16,000 described species worldwide , and probably at least as many more remain to be described. They are generally fairly small moths....
Head rough-scaled, proboscis scaled, tympanal organTympanal organA tympanal organ is a hearing organ in insects, consisting of a membrane stretched across a frame backed by an air sac and associated sensory neurons...
s on abdomen; labial palps usually not recurved, terminal segment usually blunt. HindwingInsect wingInsects are the only group of invertebrates known to have evolved flight. Insects possess some remarkable flight characteristics and abilities, still far superior to attempts by humans to replicate their capabilities. Even our understanding of the aerodynamics of flexible, flapping wings and how...
veins ("Sc" + "R1") and "Rs" are close or fused in the middle of the wing; resting posture usually either with wings tightly rolled or and held quite flat to surface in triangular shape and with labial palps often projecting forward, giving ConcordeConcordeAérospatiale-BAC Concorde was a turbojet-powered supersonic passenger airliner, a supersonic transport . It was a product of an Anglo-French government treaty, combining the manufacturing efforts of Aérospatiale and the British Aircraft Corporation...
-like appearance; antennaeAntenna (biology)Antennae in biology have historically been paired appendages used for sensing in arthropods. More recently, the term has also been applied to cilium structures present in most cell types of eukaryotes....
often swept back parallel together over body. Generally they are considered the closest group to 'MacrolepidopteraMacrolepidopteraMacrolepidoptera is a group within the insect order Lepidoptera. Traditionally used for the larger butterflies and moths as opposed to the "Microlepidoptera", this group is unnatural. However, it seems that by moving some taxa about, a monophyletic Macrolepidoptera can be easily achieved...
', and maybe ancestral to it, macrolepidoptera itself is not an universally accepted taxon.- PyralidaePyralidaeThe Pyralidae or snout moths are a family of Lepidoptera in the ditrysian superfamily Pyraloidea. In many classifications, the grass moths are included in the Pyralidae as a subfamily, making the combined group one of the largest families in the Lepidoptera...
Pyrales or snout moths - CrambidaeCrambidaeThe Crambidae are the grass moth family of Lepidoptera . They are quite variable in appearance, the nominal subfamily Crambinae taking up closely folded postures on grass-stems where they are inconspicuous, while other subfamilies include brightly coloured and patterned insects which rest in...
Grass moths
- Pyralidae
3. Tortrix moths, leaf-roller moths, bell moths, codling moths and allies. 6,200 spp.
- TortricidaeTortricidaeTortricidae is a family of moths, commonly known as tortrix moths, in the order Lepidoptera. Tortricidae is a large family with over 9,400 species described, and is the sole member of the superfamily Tortricoidea. Many of these are economically important pests. Olethreutidae is a junior synonym...
Head rough-scaled, labial palps with short blunt apicalApicalApical, from the Latin apex meaning to be at the apex or tip, may refer to:*Apical , an anatomical term of location for features associated with the base of an organism or structure...
segment, basal half of proboscis not scaled; wings held over back in tent-like or flattened position; forewingInsect wingInsects are the only group of invertebrates known to have evolved flight. Insects possess some remarkable flight characteristics and abilities, still far superior to attempts by humans to replicate their capabilities. Even our understanding of the aerodynamics of flexible, flapping wings and how...
costa often quite strongly convex or sinuate in many Tortricinae giving bell-like shape
4. Clothes moths, bagworms and allies. 4,200 spp.
- TineoideaTineoideaTineoidea is the superfamily of moths that includes clothes moths, bagworms and relatives. There are six families usually included within it, Eriocottidae, Arrhenophanidae, Lypusidae, Acrolophidae, Tineidae and Psychidae, whose relationships are currently uncertain.The Lypusidae, for example, might...
Head often with tufty erect scales; labial palps usually have bristles on middle segment and terminal segment is long; wings usually held over back in tent-like position and head close to surface; tineids often run fast- TineidaeTineidaeTineidae is a family of moths in the order Lepidoptera. Collectively, they are known as fungus moths or tineid moths. The family contains considerably more than 3,000 species in over 300 genera. Most of the tineid moths are small or medium-sized, with wings held roofwise over the body at rest...
Clothes moths and fungus moths - EriocottidaeEriocottidaeEriocottidae or Old World spiny-winged moths is a family of insects in the Lepidoptera order whose position relative to other members of the superfamily Tineoidea is currently unknown. There are between eight and seventeen genera currently placed within it and two subfamilies, Compsocteninae and...
Old World spiny winged moths - AcrolophidaeAcrolophidaeAcrolophidae is a family of moths in the Lepidoptera order. In addition, there are about 300 species, which live in the wild only in the New World.-Genera:*Acrolophus*Amydria*Drastea*Exoncotis*Ptilopsaltis...
Tube moths - ArrhenophanidaeArrhenophanidaeArrhenophanidae is a family of moths in the Lepidoptera order.-Genera:* Arrhenophanes* Cnissostages* Dysoptus* Notiophanes* Palaeophanes...
Tropical lattice moths - PsychidaeBagworm moth| name = Bagworm moths| image = Iphierga.jpg| image_caption = Adult of an undescribed Iphierga speciesfrom Aranda | image2 = Case moth02.jpg| image2_caption = "Bag" of unidentified species| regnum = Animalia| phylum = Arthropoda| classis = Insecta...
Bagworm moths - LypusidaeLypusidaeLypusidae is an obscure family of moths traditionally conssidered monotypic and belonging in the primitive moth superfamily Tineoidea....
European bagworm moths
- Tineidae
5, 6. Leaf miner moths. 3,200 spp.
- GracillarioideaGracillarioideaGracillarioidea is a large superfamily containing four families of insects in the order Lepidoptera. These generally small moths are miners in plant tissue as caterpillars. There are about 113 described genera distributed worldwide, the most commonly encountered of which are leaf-miners in the...
2,300 spp.- GracillariidaeGracillariidaeGracillariidae is an important family of insects in the order Lepidoptera and the principal family of leaf miners that includes several economic, horticultural or recently invasive pest species such as the horse-chestnut leaf miner, Cameraria ohridella....
Blotch leaf miner moths - BucculatricidaeBucculatricidaeBucculatricidae or is a family of moths. This small family has representatives in all parts of the world. Some authors place the group as a subfamily of the family Lyonetiidae....
Ribbed cocoon makers - DouglasiidaeDouglasiidaeThe small Lepidopteran family Douglasiidae includes several species of moths whose adults are collectively called Douglas moths and whose larvae are leaf miners...
Douglas moths - Roeslerstammiidae Double-eye moths
- Gracillariidae
- NepticuloideaNepticuloideaA superfamily of usually very small monotrysian moths that are characterised by small or large eyecaps over the compound eyes. Nepticuloidea comprises two families, the "pigmy moths" , with 12 genera which are very diverse worldwide and are usually leaf miners, and the "white eyecap moths" , also...
900 spp. Eyecap moths- NepticulidaeNepticulidaeNepticulidae is a family of very small moths with a worldwide distribution. They are characterised by eyecaps over the eyes . These pigmy moths or midget moths, as they are commonly known, include the smallest of all living moths, with a wingspan that can be as little as 3 mm...
Pygmy eyecap moths - OpostegidaeOpostegidaeOpostegidae or "white eyecap moths" is a family of insects in the Lepidoptera order that is characterised by particularly large eyecaps over the compound eyes...
White eyecap moths
- Nepticulidae
7. Ermine moths, webworm moths, yucca moths and allies. 1,500 spp.
- YponomeutoideaYponomeutoideaYponomeutoidea is a superfamily of Ermine moths and relatives.-Familiae:*Acrolepiidae*Bedelliidae*Glyphipterigidae*Heliodinidae*Lyonetiidae*Plutellidae*Yponomeutidae*Ypsolophidae- Etymology :...
- YponomeutidaeErmine mothThe family Yponomeutidae are known as the ermine moths, with several hundred species, most of them in the tropics. The larvae tend to form communal webs, and some are minor pests in agriculture, forestry, and horticulture. Some of the adults are very attractive...
Ermine moths - AcrolepiidaeAcrolepiidaeThe Acrolepiidae family of moths are also known as False Diamondback moths.Caterpillars are typically 10 to 12 mm in length and spotted. Adults have a wingspan between 16 and 18 mm and are generally nocturnal.-Species:Some representative species are:...
False Diamond-back moths - YpsolophidaeYpsolophidaeYpsolophidae is a family of moth. They are included in the Plutellidae by many authors.-Ypsolophinae:* Phrealcia Chrétien, 1900** Phrealcia brevipalpella Chrétien, 1900** Phrealcia eximiella...
- PlutellidaePlutellidaePlutellidae is a family of moths. Some authors consider this family to be a subfamily of Yponomeutidae.-Genera:*Acrolepia*Acrolepiopsis*Digitivalva*Eidophasia*Plutella...
Diamond-back moths and allies - GlyphipterigidaeGlyphipterigidaeGlyphipterigidae is a family of small moths commonly known as sedge moths as the larvae of many species feed on sedges and rushes.-Genera:*Abrenthia*Aechmia*Anacampsiodes*Apistomorpha*Carmentina*Caulobius...
Sedge moths - HeliodinidaeHeliodinidaeHeliodinidae is a family of small moths with slender bodies and narrow wings. Members of this family are found in all parts of the world.-Genera:*Acanthocasis*Actinoscelis*Adamantoscelis*Aenicteria*Aetole*Agalmoscelis...
Sun moths - BedelliidaeBedelliidaeBedelliidae is a small family of small, narrow-winged moths; most authorities recognize just a single genus, Bedellia, previously included in the family Lyonetiidae. The family is still included in the Lyonetiidae as the subfamily Bedelliinae by some authors.-Species:-External links:* U.S.A. *...
- LyonetiidaeLyonetiidaeLyonetiidae is a family of moths. These are small, slender moths, the wingspan rarely exceeding 1 cm. The very narrow forewings, held folded backwards covering the hindwings and abdomen, often have pointed apices noticeably up- or down-turned. The larvae are leaf miners.The families Bucculatricidae...
Lyonet moths
- Yponomeutidae
8, 9. Plume moths. 1,160 spp.
- Pterophoridae Plume moths. 1,000 spp.
- Alucitidae Many-plumed moths. 160 spp.
10. Tropical leaf moths or picture-winged moths. >1000 spp.
- ThyrididaeThyrididaeThyrididae is the picture-winged leaf moths family of moths in the Lepidoptera order. They alone make up the Thyridoidea superfamily, which is sometimes included in the Pyraloidea Thyrididae is the picture-winged leaf moths family of moths in the Lepidoptera order. They alone make up the...
Small mainly dayflying moths:
11. Fairy moths, longhorn moths and allies. 600 spp.
- IncurvarioideaIncurvarioideaIncurvarioidea is a superfamily of primitive monotrysian moths in the order Lepidoptera which consists of Leafcutters, yucca moths and relatives. This superfamily is characterised by a piercing, extensible ovipositor used for laying eggs in plants . Many species are day-flying with metallic...
- IncurvariidaeIncurvariidaeIncurvariidae is a family of small primitive monotrysian moths in the order Lepidoptera. There are twelve genera recognised . Many species are leaf miners and much is known of their hostplants, excluding Paraclemensia acerifoliella . The most familiar species in Europe are perhaps Incurvaria...
Leaf-cutter moths - AdelidaeAdelidae| name = Fairy longhorn moths| image=Unidentified animal 007 .jpg| image_width = 240px| image_caption= Adult of an unidentified fairy longhorn mothfrom Chemnitz | regnum = Animalia| phylum = Arthropoda...
Fairy moths - HeliozelidaeHeliozelidaeA family of primitive monotrysian moths in the order Lepidoptera, Heliozelidae are small, metallic day-flying moths with shiny smooth heads, In Europe the small adult moths are seldom noticed as they fly quite early in the Spring...
Shield-bearer leaf-miners - ProdoxidaeProdoxidaeProdoxidae is a family of primitive monotrysian Lepidoptera. Some of these small-to-medium sized moths are day flying, like Lampronia capitella, known to European gardeners as the "Currant Shoot Borer". Others occur in Africa and Asia.Tetragma gei feeds on Mountain Avens Geum triflorum in USA....
Yucca moths - CecidosidaeCecidosidaeCecidosidae is a little known family of primitive monotrysian moths in the order Lepidoptera which have a piercing ovipositor used for laying eggs in plant tissue in which they induce galls, or they mine in bark...
Gall moths - Crinopterygidae Cistus case bearer moth
- Incurvariidae
12. Metalmark moths. 402 spp.
- ChoreutidaeChoreutidaeChoreutidae, or "metalmark moths," are a family of insects in the lepidopteran order whose relationships have been long disputed. It was placed previously in the superfamily Yponomeutoidea in family Glyphipterigidae and in superfamily Sesioidea. It is now considered to represent its own superfamily...
13. Mandibulate archaic moths. 180 spp.
- MicropterigidaeMicropterigidaeMicropterigoidea is the superfamily of "mandibulate archaic moths", all placed in the single family Micropterigidae, containing currently about 20 living genera. They are considered the most primitive extant lineage of Lepidoptera ....
14. Sparkling archaic sun moths or spring jewel moths. 24 spp.
- Eriocraniidae
Superfamilies less likely to be encountered:
15. Tropical fruitworm moths. 318 spp.
- CopromorphoideaCopromorphoideaCopromorphoidea, the "fruitworm moths" is a superfamily of insects in the lepidopteran order. These moths are small to medium-sized and are broad-winged bearing some resemblance to the superfamilies Tortricoidea and Immoidea...
- CopromorphidaeCopromorphidaeCopromorphidae, the "tropical fruitworm moths" is a family of insects in the lepidopteran order. These moths have broad, rounded forewings, and well-camouflaged scale patterns. Unlike Carposinidae the mouthparts include "labial palps" with the second rather than third segment the longest...
- CarposinidaeCarposinidaeCarposinidae, the "fruitworm moths" is a family of insects in the lepidopteran order. These moths are narrower winged than Copromorphidae, with less rounded forewing tips. Males often have conspicuous patches of scales on either surface...
- Copromorphidae
16. Fringe tufted moths. 83 spp.
- EpermeniidaeEpermeniidaeEpermeniidae or "fringe-tufted moths" is a family of insects in the lepidopteran order with about 14 genera. Previously they have been divided in two subfamilies Epermeniinae and Ochromolopinae but this is no longer maintained since the last group is probably hierarchically nested within the first...
17. Blackberry leaf skeletonizer and allies. 8 spp.
- Schreckensteiniidae
18. Immid moths. 250 spp.
- Immidae
19. False burnet moths. 60 spp.
- UrodidaeUrodidaeUrodidae or "false burnet moths" is a family of insects in the lepidopteran order, representing its own superfamily, Urodoidea, with three genera, one of which, Wockia, occurs in Europe.-Taxonomy and systematics:...
20. Tropical teak moths. 20 spp.
- HyblaeidaeHyblaeidaeHyblaeidae are the "teak moths", a family of insects in the Lepidopteran order. The two genera with about 18 species make up the Hyblaeoidea superfamily, which has sometimes been included in the Pyraloidea. However, the position of this family is currently uncertain within the group Obtectomera...
21. Whalley's Malagasy moths. 2 spp.
- Whalleyanidae
More rarely encountered "primitive" families:
22. Kauri pine moths. 2 spp.
- AgathiphagidaeAgathiphagaAgathiphaga is a genus of moths in the family Agathiphagidae, known as kauri moths. This caddis fly-like lineage of primitive moths was first reported by Lionel Jack Dumbleton in 1952, as a new genus of Micropterigidae....
22. Southern beech moths or Valdivian archaic moths. 9 spp.
- Heterobathmiidae
23. Archaic sun moths. 4 spp.
- AcanthopteroctetidaeAcanthopteroctetidaeAcanthoctesia or "archaic sun moths" is an infraorder of insects in the Lepidopteran order, containing a single superfamily Acanthopteroctetoidea and a single family Acanthopteroctetidae. They are currently considered the fifth group up on the comb of branching events in the extant lepidopteran...
24. Australian archaic sun moths. 6 spp.
- Lophocoronidae
25. Archaic bell moths. 12 spp.
- Neopseustidae
26. New Zealand endemic moths. 7 spp.
- Mnesarchaeidae
27. Gondwanaland moths. 60 spp.
- Palaephatidae
28. Trumpet leaf miner moths. 107 spp.
- Tischeriidae
29. Simaethistid moths. 4 spp.
- Simaethistidae
30. Galacticoid moths or webworm moths. 17 spp.
- GalacticidaeGalacticidaeGalacticidae is a recently recognised and enigmatic family of insects in the lepidopteran order. These moderate sized moths are 8-17 mm. in wingspan and have previously been embedded within several lepidopteran superfamilies , but Galacticidae is currently placed in its own superfamily at the base of...
Larger "micros"
These groups have been formerly included in macros by hobbyists. 'Archaic and primitive macrosMacrolepidoptera
Macrolepidoptera is a group within the insect order Lepidoptera. Traditionally used for the larger butterflies and moths as opposed to the "Microlepidoptera", this group is unnatural. However, it seems that by moving some taxa about, a monophyletic Macrolepidoptera can be easily achieved...
' is not a recommended name for these as it may create confusion of their placement in some classification systems.
31. Swift moths and allies. 544 spp.
- HepialoideaHepialoideaHepialoidea is the superfamily of "ghost moths" and "swift moths". See Kristensen for a broad review.- Fossils :Fossil Hepialoidea appear to be few. Prohepialus has been described from the about 35 million year old Bembridge Marls of Isle of Wight. A mid-Miocene hepialoid fossil is also known...
- HepialidaeHepialidaeThe Hepialidae is a family of insects in the lepidopteran order. Moths of this family are often referred to as swift moths or ghost moths.-Taxonomy and systematics:...
Swift moths - Anomosetidae Australian Primitive Ghost Moths
- PrototheoridaePrototheoridaePrototheoridae or the "African Primitive Ghost Moths" is a family of insects in the lepidopteran order, contained in the superfamily Hepialoidea...
African Primitive Ghost Moths - Neotheoridae Amazonian Primitive Ghost Moths
- PalaeosetidaePalaeosetidaePalaeosetidae or "Miniature Ghost Moths" is a family of insects in the Lepidopteran order contained within the superfamily Hepialoidea.-Taxonomy and systematics:...
Miniature Ghost Moths
- Hepialidae
Unassigned to superfamily:
32. Meyrick's Mystic Moth. 1 sp.
- Prodidactidae
Large monotrysia
Monotrysia
The Monotrysia is a group of insects in the Lepidopteran order which is not currently considered to be a natural group or clade. The group contains only moths and most of these are small and are relatively understudied in many regions of the world...
n micros:
33. Andean endemic moths. 3 spp.
- Andesianidae
Large ditrysia
Ditrysia
The Ditrysia are a natural group or clade of insects in the Lepidopteran order containing both butterflies and moths. They are so named because the female has two distinct sexual openings: one for mating, and the other for laying eggs .About 98% of described species of Lepidoptera belong to Ditrysia...
n micros (formerly 'primitive macros'):
34. Burnet moths, slug moths, hag moths, glass moths and allies. 2,600 spp.
- ZygaenoideaZygaenoideaZygaenoidea is the superfamily of moths that includes burnet moths, forester moths, and relatives.The families are:* Aididae* Anomoeotidae* Cyclotornidae* Dalceridae* Epipyropidae* Heterogynidae* Himantopteridae* Lacturidae* Limacodidae...
- ZygaenidaeZygaenidaeThe Zygaenidae moths are a family of Lepidoptera. The majority of zygaenids are tropical, but they are nevertheless quite well represented in temperate regions. There are about 1000 species. Various species are commonly known as Burnet or Forester moths, often qualified by the number of spots,...
Burnet and forester moths - LimacodidaeLimacodidaeLimacodidae or Euclidae is a family of moths in the superfamily Zygaenoidea or the Cossoidea; the placement is in dispute. They are often called slug moths because their caterpillars bear a distinct resemblance to slugs...
Slug moths or saddleback caterpillar moths - MegalopygidaeMegalopygidaeMegalopygidae is the technical name of a group of insect species known generally as crinkled flannel moths, or simply Flannel Moths. They occur in North America and the New World tropics. The larvae are called Puss Caterpillars, and with their long hairs, resemble cotton balls...
Flannel moths - EpipyropidaeEpipyropidaeEpipyropidae is a small family of moths. This family and the closely related Cyclotornidae are unique among the Lepidoptera in that the larvae are ectoparasites, the hosts typically being fulgoroid planthoppers, thus the common name Planthopper Parasite Moths.-References:*...
Planthopper parasite moths - HeterogynidaeHeterogynidaeHeterogynidae is a family of insects in the Lepidoptera order. There are only two currently recognized genera: Heterogynis and Janseola.-References:*...
Mediterranean burnet moths - HimantopteridaeHimantopteridaeHimantopteridae is a family of insects in the Lepidoptera order.-References:*...
Long-tailed burnet moths - AnomoeotidaeAnomoeotidaeAnomoeotidae is a family of moths in the Lepidoptera order. There are about 40 species with an Afrotropical and Oriental distribution.-Genera:* Akesina* Anomoeotes* Dianeura* Staphylinochrous* Thermochrous...
- CyclotornidaeCyclotornidaeCyclotorna is a genus of moths, the sole one of family Cyclotornidae, with five recognized species. The family is endemic to Australia. This family and the closely related Epipyropidae are unique among the Lepidoptera in that the larvae are ectoparasites, the hosts in this case typically being...
Australian Parasite Moths - SomabrachyidaeSomabrachyidaeSomabrachyidae is a family of moth in the order Lepidoptera.-References:...
African Flannel Moths - DalceridaeDalceridaeDalceridae is a small family of moths with 84 known species. They are mostly found in the Neotropical region with a few reaching the far south of the Nearctic region.These are generally small or medium-sized moths with very hairy bodies...
Glass Moths - LacturidaeLacturidaeLacturidae is a family of insects in the Lepidoptera order.Brighly coloured tropical moths Lacturidae have been previously placed in Plutellidae, Yponomeutidae and Hyponomeutidae.-References:*...
Australian burnet moths - AididaeAididaeAididae is a family of moths in the superfamily Zygaenoidea...
- Zygaenidae
35. Clearwing moths, castniid moths, little bear moths and allies. 1,300 spp.
- SesioideaSesioideaSesioidea is the superfamily currently containing clearwing moths , castniid moths and little bear moths . There is evidence from head and thoracic morphology that the first two families, internally feeding in plants as caterpillars, are sisters, whilst some brachodids are known to feed on leaf...
- SesiidaeSesiidaeThe Sesiidae or clearwing moths are family of the Lepidoptera in which the wings partially have hardly any of the normal lepidopteran scales, leaving them transparent. The bodies are generally striped with yellow, red or white, sometimes very brightly, and they have simple antennae...
Clearwing moths - CastniidaeCastniidaeCastniidae, or castniid moths, is a small family of moths with less than 200 species: The majority are Neotropical with some in Australia and a few in south-east Asia. These are medium-sized to very large moths, usually with drab, cryptically-marked forewings and brightly coloured hindwings. They...
Castniid moths - BrachodidaeBrachodidaeBrachodidae is a family of day-flying moths, commonly known as little bear moths, which contains about 100 species distributed around much of the world . The relationships and status of the presently included genera are not well...
Little bear moths
- Sesiidae
36, 37. Goat or carpenter moths and allies. 676 spp.
- CossoideaCossoideaCossoidea is the superfamily of moths that includes carpenter moths and relatives. Like their likely sister group Sesioidea they are internal feeders and have spiny pupae with moveable segments to allow them to extrude out of their exit holes in stems and trunks during emergence of the adult .The...
- CossidaeCossidaeCossidae, the cossid millers or carpenter millers, make up a family of mostly large miller moths. Ths family contains over 110 genera with almost 700 known species, and many more species await description...
Goat moths, Leopard moths or Carpenterworm moths - DudgeoneidaeDudgeoneidaeDudgeonea is a small genus of moths and the only genus of its family, the Dudgeoneidae. It includes six species distributed sparsely across the Old World from Africa and Madagascar to Australia and New Guinea.-Biology:...
Dudgeon carpenterworm moths
- Cossidae
Sources
- Robinson, G.S., Tuck, K.R., Shaffer, M. and Cook, K. (1994). The smaller moths of South-East Asia. Malaysian Nature Society, Kuala Lumpur.
- Common Name Index