Cosmopterix

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Gelechioidea
Family: Cosmopterigidae
Subfamily: Cosmopteriginae
Genus: Cosmopterix

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Cosmopterix: //kɒzmɒˈptɛrɪks//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Cosmopterix scirpicola by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Cosmopterix sinelinea by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Cosmopterix chisosensis by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Cosmopterix facunda by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Cosmopterix gracilens by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Summary

Cosmopterix is a large genus of small moths within the family Cosmopterigidae, characterized by their ornamental wing patterns and leaf-mining larval stage.

Physical Characteristics

Cosmopterix species are very small to small moths with a wingspan of about 9-12 mm and a forewing length of 2.9-6.5 mm. The head is smooth-scaled and narrow, with large bent scales on the vertex. The forewing is lanceolate with a long and narrow apex, featuring a characteristic yellow or orange transverse fascia bordered by metallic fasciae or spots. The hindwing is almost linear and less than half the width of the forewing, colored from pale yellow to dark grey.

Identification Tips

Helpful features for identifying Cosmopterix include the coloring of the antennal segments, the width and length of the basal lines, the presence of lines on the thorax, and the location of the silver spots surrounding the transverse fascia.

Habitat

Larvae are leaf miners found on a variety of herbaceous plants, particularly grasses, sedges, and other plants

Distribution

Much of North America and the world, specifically in regions where host plants are present.

Diet

The larvae are leaf miners and feed on a variety of herbaceous plants in families such as Asteraceae, Cannabaceae, Convolvulaceae, Cyperaceae, Poaceae, Fabaceae, and Urticaceae.

Life Cycle

In colder climates, species typically have one generation that overwinters in the larval stage in a cocoon, while in warmer climates, they may have multiple overlapping generations.

Reproduction

Pupation occurs in spring, typically inside the mine or in a cocoon.

Ecosystem Role

The larvae play a role in herbaceous plant populations through their leaf mining activity.

Misconceptions

The species "Cosmopterix" cyanosticta is misclassified; it is not a cosmet moth but belongs to the fungus moth genus Erechthias.