Acrolepiidae

Definition

A family of small moths (order Lepidoptera) commonly called false diamondback moths. The group comprises minute to small species, many of which are leaf-miners or stem-borers on herbaceous plants. Modern lepidopteran systematics often treats Acrolepiidae as a subfamily (Acrolepiinae) nested within Glyphipterigidae, reflecting ongoing debate about rank boundaries in the Yponomeutoidea superfamily. The family or subfamily includes genera such as Acrolepia, Acrolepiopsis, and Digitivalvopsis.

Etymology

From Acrolepia (type genus) + -idae (family suffix)

Example

Larvae of Acrolepiopsis assectella mine the leaves of Allium species (onions, leeks, chives), leaving serpentine trails that terminate in blotch mines; the species is an occasional pest in allium crops across Europe and has been introduced to North America.

Synonyms

• false diamondback moths

Related Terms

• Glyphipterigidae
• Yponomeutoidea
• Acrolepiinae
• leaf miner
• Acrolepiopsis
• Lepidoptera

Usage Notes

Status as family versus subfamily varies by classification system; check current authority (e.g., van Nieukerken et al. 2011 for Lepidoptera phylogeny) when citing. The common name 'false diamondback moths' distinguishes them from true diamondback moths (Plutellidae: Plutella xylostella). Not to be confused with Acrolepiidae as a misspelling of Acroplepiidae (an obsolete name for a different lepidopteran group).