Oecophora
Encyclopedia
Oecophora is a genus
of the concealer moth family
(Oecophoridae). Among these, it belongs to subfamily Oecophorinae
. It is the type genus
of its subfamily and family. Thus, regardless of the uncertain phylogeny, systematics
and taxonomy
of its superfamily
Gelechioidea
, it and its closest relatives always have to be assigned to this family and subfamily as long as these are deemed valid.
was initially given as the Tinea sulphurella described by J.C. Fabricius
in 1777. However, that name is a junior homonym and thus invalid; Fabricius himself had used it merely two years earlier to describe the moth now known as Esperia sulphurella
. But actually, Fabricius' 1777 "T." sulphurella had been described by C. Linnaeus in 1758 already, who named it Tinea bractella. But subsequent authors placed it in the related genus Alabonia
, thus preventing for long the determination of the correct name for the moth invalidly described by Fabricius in 1777.
Invalid scientific names of Oecophora are:
of Oecophora include:
Formerly, several other Oecophorinae (e.g. of genus Esperia
) have been placed here too.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of the concealer moth family
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
(Oecophoridae). Among these, it belongs to subfamily Oecophorinae
Oecophorinae
| image = Philobota1.jpg| image_width = 250px| image_caption = Adult of Philobota arabella or a related species,Aranda | regnum = Animalia| phylum = Arthropoda| classis = Insecta| ordo = Lepidoptera| subordo = Glossata| infraordo = Heteroneura...
. It is the type genus
Type genus
In biological classification, a type genus is a representative genus, as with regard to a biological family. The term and concept is used much more often and much more formally in zoology than it is in botany, and the definition is dependent on the nomenclatural Code that applies:* In zoological...
of its subfamily and family. Thus, regardless of the uncertain phylogeny, systematics
Systematics
Biological systematics is the study of the diversification of terrestrial life, both past and present, and the relationships among living things through time. Relationships are visualized as evolutionary trees...
and taxonomy
Taxonomy
Taxonomy is the science of identifying and naming species, and arranging them into a classification. The field of taxonomy, sometimes referred to as "biological taxonomy", revolves around the description and use of taxonomic units, known as taxa...
of its superfamily
Taxonomic rank
In biological classification, rank is the level in a taxonomic hierarchy. Examples of taxonomic ranks are species, genus, family, and class. Each rank subsumes under it a number of less general categories...
Gelechioidea
Gelechioidea
| 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...
, it and its closest relatives always have to be assigned to this family and subfamily as long as these are deemed valid.
Systematics and taxonomy
The genus' type speciesType species
In biological nomenclature, a type species is both a concept and a practical system which is used in the classification and nomenclature of animals and plants. The value of a "type species" lies in the fact that it makes clear what is meant by a particular genus name. A type species is the species...
was initially given as the Tinea sulphurella described by J.C. Fabricius
Johan Christian Fabricius
Johan Christian Fabricius was a Danish zoologist, specialising in "Insecta", which at that time included all arthropods: insects, arachnids, crustaceans and others...
in 1777. However, that name is a junior homonym and thus invalid; Fabricius himself had used it merely two years earlier to describe the moth now known as Esperia sulphurella
Esperia sulphurella
Esperia sulphurella is a species of moth of the family Oecophoridae. It is found in Europe.The wingspan is 12–16 mm. The moth flies from May to June depending on the location.The larvae feed on dead wood.-Taxonomy:...
. But actually, Fabricius' 1777 "T." sulphurella had been described by C. Linnaeus in 1758 already, who named it Tinea bractella. But subsequent authors placed it in the related genus Alabonia
Alabonia
Alabonia is a genus of gelechioid moths. Here, it is placed within the subfamily Oecophorinae of the concealer moth family . Alternatively it has been placed in the Elachistidae or Depressariinae together with its presumed closest relatives...
, thus preventing for long the determination of the correct name for the moth invalidly described by Fabricius in 1777.
Invalid scientific names of Oecophora are:
- Aecophora (lapsusLapsusA lapsus is an involuntary mistake made while writing or speaking. According to Freud's early psychoanalytic theory, a lapsus represents a missed deed that hides an unconscious desire....
) - Oecophera Costa, 1840 (unjustified emendation)
Selected species
SpeciesSpecies
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of Oecophora include:
- Oecophora bractellaOecophora bractellaOecophora bractella is a species of gelechioid moths. It belongs to the subfamily Oecophorinae of the concealer moth family . As the type species of its genus Oecophora, its affiliations and phylogeny determine the delimitation of that family and subfamily.It is native to in Europe, where it...
- Oecophora kindermanni (Herrich-Schäffer, 1852)
Formerly, several other Oecophorinae (e.g. of genus Esperia
Esperia (moth)
Esperia is a genus of the concealer moth family . Among these, it belongs to subfamily Oecophorinae. Most authors include Dasycera here, though approaches that generally follow a "splitting" approach sometimes do not....
) have been placed here too.