Curved-horn-moths
Guides
Caryocolum
Curved-horn moths
Caryocolum is a genus of small moths in the family Gelechiidae, commonly known as Curved-horn moths. The genus contains over 80 species distributed across the Palearctic and Nearctic realms, with the highest diversity in mountainous regions of Europe. Species are specialized feeders on plants in the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), particularly genera such as Cerastium and Stellaria. The genus has been subject to intensive taxonomic revision due to high levels of cryptic diversity, with numerous species described in recent decades using integrative approaches combining DNA barcoding and morphology.
Gelechioidea
curved-horn moths, gelechioid moths, case-bearers and twirler moths
Gelechioidea is a large superfamily of micromoths within Lepidoptera, containing case-bearers, twirler moths, and relatives. It comprises approximately 16,250 described species across about 1,425 genera, though estimates suggest only 25% of actual diversity has been documented, potentially making it one of the largest superfamilies of Lepidoptera. The superfamily represents one of the basal lineages of the Ditrysia. Classification remains disputed, with family-level arrangements varying between 16 and 21 families depending on morphological versus molecular phylogenetic approaches.