Ribbed Cocoon-maker Moths

Bucculatricidae

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Gracillarioidea
Family: Bucculatricidae

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Bucculatricidae: //ˌbʌkjʊləˈtrɪsɪdiː//

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

Images

Bucculatrix ainsliella1 by Jeremy deWaard, University of British Columbia. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.

Bucculatrix canadensisella1 by Jeremy deWaard, University of British Columbia. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.

Simyra albovenosa (28566608683) by Ben Sale from UK. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Cydalima perspectalis (29186330235) by Ben Sale from UK. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Bucculatrix coronatella P1640923a by
xpda. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Ipimorpha subtusa (28566610033) by Ben Sale from UK. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Summary

Bucculatricidae, commonly known as ribbed cocoon-maker moths, is a family of tiny moths which includes over 100 species solely in the genus Bucculatrix. The larvae are known for their leaf mining and skeletonizing behaviors, with distinct pupal cases characterized by longitudinal ridges.

Physical Characteristics

Tiny moths with narrow wings wrapped around the body at rest, and the top of the head covered with rough, bristly scales. Pupae have distinctive longitudinal ridges.

Identification Tips

Adults are very small and easily overlooked. Larvae are identified by their distinctive brown blotches on leaves when they are leaf miners.

Habitat

Members of this family are found in various habitats as they are associated with specific host plants, particularly trees.

Distribution

Over 100 species in North America and representatives worldwide, including Europe and Asia.

Diet

Larvae are leaf miners that later become leaf skeletonizers. They specialize on particular tree species as host plants.

Life Cycle

The life cycle includes a larval stage where they initially mine leaves and later skeletonize them.

Reproduction

Species reproduce by laying eggs on host plants where the larvae later feed.

Predators

Specific predators not detailed; however, larvae may drop and dangle from silk threads to evade capture.

Ecosystem Role

They play a role in leaf mining and skeletonizing which can impact the health of host plants and affect broader ecosystems.

Evolution

Formerly part of family Lyonetiidae; considered a separate family by some authors since 1999.

Similar Taxa

Misconceptions

Members of this family may be overlooked due to their small size and the commonality of confusion with related families.