Bedelliidae
Meyrick, 1880
Genus Guides
1- Bedellia(morning-glory leaf miner)
Bedelliidae is a small of microlepidoptera containing the single Bedellia. These narrow-winged were previously classified within Lyonetiidae. The family is best known for the sweet potato leafminer Bedellia somnulentella, an agricultural pest that feeds on Convolvulaceae.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Bedelliidae: //bɛˈdɛli.aɪdiː//
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Bedelliidae can be distinguished from related by their small size, narrow wings, and the reduced wing venation characteristic of the group. The family is taxonomically compact, with most authorities recognizing only the Bedellia. Separation from Lyonetiidae (when treated as distinct families) relies on subtle morphological differences in wing structure and genitalia.
Images
Distribution
distribution; documented in Europe (Denmark, Norway, Sweden), North America (United States), and South America (Brazil). Specific distribution records are largely derived from the range of Bedellia somnulentella rather than comprehensive -level surveys.
Human Relevance
Indirect relevance through Bedellia somnulentella, which is a significant pest of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) . Larval feeding on leaf mesophyll reduces photosynthetic capacity and crop yield. The has established in multiple tropical and subtropical regions, prompting monitoring and efforts.
Similar Taxa
- LyonetiidaeBedelliidae was historically included within Lyonetiidae as Bedelliinae; some taxonomic treatments still maintain this classification. Both contain small, narrow-winged microlepidoptera with leaf-mining larvae.
More Details
Taxonomic status
The 's taxonomic rank remains debated. While most contemporary authorities recognize Bedelliidae as a distinct family, some authors continue to treat it as Bedelliinae within Lyonetiidae.
Research bias
Published biological information for Bedelliidae is heavily skewed toward Bedellia somnulentella due to its agricultural importance. -level for other Bedellia remains poorly documented.
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- GBIF taxonomy match
- iNaturalist taxon
- NCBI Taxonomy
- Catalogue of Life
- Bedellia somnulentella (Lepidoptera: Bedelliidae) in sweet potato in North Florida
- Biology of Bedellia somnulentella (Lepidoptera: Bedelliidae) Associated with Wild Ipomoea spp. (Convolvulaceae) as Host Plants
- Bedellia somnulentella (Lepidoptera: Bedelliidae): new hosts of the genus Ipomoea (Convolvulaceae) in Brazil
- Distribution expansion and new occurrence records of Bedellia somnulentella (Lepidoptera: Bedelliidae) in Minas Gerais state, Brazil
- The invasive Bedellia somnulentella (Lepidoptera: Bedelliidae): new record of host plant, predator and biome in Brazil
- Geographic distribution of the Ipomoea batatas (Convolvulaceae) pest, Bedellia somnulentella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Bedelliidae), in Minas Gerais state, Brazil
- Bedellia somnulentella (Lepidoptera: Bedelliidae): record of a new host and predator in Atlantic Forest biome in Minas Gerais state, Brazil
- Life History of Bedellia somnulentella (Lepidoptera: Bedelliidae) Feeding on Ipomoea batatas (Solanales: Convolvulaceae) Leaves and Survey of Parasitoids in Brazil
- Changes in Chlorophyll a Fluorescence in Ipomoea batatas (Convolvulaceae) Genotypes Under Attack by Bedellia somnulentella (Lepidoptera: Bedelliidae).