Epermeniidae

fringe-tufted moths

Genus Guides

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, commonly called fringe-tufted moths, is a of small Lepidoptera containing approximately 14 . The family is placed in its own superfamily Epermenioidea, though its systematic position among the apoditrysian group "Obtectomera" remains uncertain. Members are characterized by distinctive projecting tufts on the inner margin of the hindwing and of bristles on the legs. The group has been extensively revised by Dr. Reinhard Gaedike, with major genera including Epermenia, Ochromolopis, and Gnathifera.

Epermenia imperialella by (c) Trevor Edmonson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Trevor Edmonson. Used under a CC-BY license.Epermenia stolidota by (c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger. Used under a CC-BY license.- 2329 – Epermenia cicutaella by Wildreturn. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Epermeniidae: /ˌɛpərˌmiːniˈaɪdiː/

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Identification

Small narrow-winged with wingspan of 7–20 mm. Most easily distinguished by projecting tufts on the inner margin of the hindwing. Legs bear conspicuous of bristles (spines). smoothly scaled, lacking ocelli and chaetosemata. lacks spines. Most similar to Stathmopodinae (Oecophoridae), which differ in having of forelegs and midlegs without whorls of spines and a scaled at the base.

Images

Habitat

Worldwide in temperate and tropical regions, with particular abundance in montane areas.

Distribution

distribution spanning Palaearctic, Indo-Australia, Pacific islands, Australia to New Caledonia, and the Afrotropics (though sparsely documented there).

Host Associations

  • Apiaceae - plantMany European feed on umbels; Epermenia chaerophyllella is a pest of cultivated species
  • Santalaceae - plantIncludes Australian quandong
  • Loranthaceae - plantParasitic plant
  • Pinaceae - plant
  • Pittosporaceae - plant
  • Leguminosae - plant
  • Angelica pubescens - plantFor Epermenia sinjovi
  • Angelica ursina - plantFor Epermenia sinjovi
  • Angelica polymorpha - plantNew record for Epermenia sinjovi in China

Life Cycle

Caterpillars feed inside plant parts including fruits, seeds, galls, leaves, or flowers, sometimes in mines, sometimes exposed or under silk on leaf surfaces. occurs within a fine open-network cocoon on the plant or among ground debris; the pupa is not extruded from the cocoon.

Behavior

are and well-camouflaged. At rest, they position themselves parallel to the surface with wings held tent-like over the back.

Human Relevance

Epermenia chaerophyllella is a documented pest of cultivated Apiaceae .

Similar Taxa

  • Stathmopodinae (Oecophoridae)Similar small narrow-winged , but distinguished by of forelegs and midlegs lacking of spines, and scaled at the base
  • Alucitoidea (plume moths)Share morphological similarities in wing fringe groups, though not closely related
  • Pterophoroidea (plume moths)Share morphological similarities in wing fringe groups, though not closely related
  • SchreckensteinioideaShare spiny legs and open-network cocoon characteristics with some

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Sources and further reading