Gelechiidae
Guides
Coleotechnites laricis
orange larch tubemaker
Coleotechnites laricis, the orange larch tubemaker, is a small gelechiid moth with a wingspan of 10.5–13 mm. It is found in eastern Canada and the north-eastern United States, where its larvae are specialized feeders on eastern larch. The species has one generation per year.
Coleotechnites milleri
Lodgepole Needleminer
Coleotechnites milleri, commonly known as the lodgepole needleminer, is a small gelechiid moth native to western North America. The species was described by August Busck in 1914 and is characterized by its distinctive black-and-white forewing pattern with raised scale tufts. The common name suggests an association with lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), though specific host relationships require confirmation. The moth has a documented wingspan of 12–15 mm.
Coleotechnites occidentis
Coleotechnites occidentis is a small gelechiid moth described by Freeman in 1965. The species is known from western North America, with records from British Columbia, Canada. Adults have a wingspan of 9–11 mm. Larvae are leaf and stem miners that feed on Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum).
Coleotechnites thujaella
brown arborvitae leafminer, brown cedar leafminer
Coleotechnites thujaella is a small gelechiid moth commonly known as the brown arborvitae leafminer or brown cedar leafminer. It occurs in northeastern North America, where its larvae feed internally on Thuja foliage. The species is recognized by its distinctive wing pattern of black triangular costal patches and paired black dots on cream-white forewings. Adults have a wingspan of 9–10 mm and are active in a single annual generation.
Compsolechia
Compsolechia is a genus of small moths in the family Gelechiidae, subfamily Anacampsinae. The genus contains approximately 90 described species distributed primarily in the Americas, with some species known from tropical and subtropical regions. Larvae of at least some species construct leaf rolls as shelters, a behavior that provides protection from desiccation and predators. Two species have been documented in association with Casearia (Flacourtiaceae) in coastal dry-forests of western Mexico.
Dichomeris
Dichomeris is a large genus of small moths in the family Gelechiidae, erected by Jacob Hübner in 1818. The genus contains hundreds of species distributed globally, with particularly high diversity in tropical and subtropical regions. Larvae of many species are leaf-folders, constructing silk shelters on host plants for protection while feeding. Some species are economically significant agricultural pests, including D. famulata, which infests sorghum panicles in South America.
Dichomeris acuminatus
Alfalfa Leaf Tier, Alfalfa Leaftier Moth
Dichomeris acuminatus is a small moth in the family Gelechiidae, commonly known as the alfalfa leaf tier. It has an exceptionally broad distribution spanning multiple continents including Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and the Americas. The species was first described by Otto Staudinger in 1876. Despite its common name suggesting association with alfalfa, the species appears to be a generalist with a wide ecological tolerance given its cosmopolitan range.
Dichomeris aleatrix
buffy dichomeris moth, buffy dichomeris
Dichomeris aleatrix is a small gelechiid moth described by Ronald W. Hodges in 1986. The species occurs in eastern North America from southern Ontario through the Midwest to Tennessee. Adults are active primarily in spring and summer, with larvae feeding on specific sunflower species (Helianthus).
Dichomeris barnesiella
Dichomeris barnesiella is a small gelechiid moth with distinctive bicolored forewings. The species was described from specimens collected in Arizona and Mexico. Adults are active during spring and late summer. The sharply divided wing pattern is unusual within the genus.
Dichomeris bilobella
Bilobed Dichomeris Moth
Dichomeris bilobella is a small gelechiid moth with a wingspan of approximately 15 mm. It occurs across eastern and central North America from Nova Scotia to eastern Kansas. Adults are active from May through August. The larvae are leaf-feeders on goldenrods (Solidago) and asters (Aster).
Dichomeris citrifoliella
orange webworm moth
Dichomeris citrifoliella, commonly known as the orange webworm moth, is a small gelechiid moth native to eastern and central North America. First described by Vactor Tousey Chambers in 1880, this species is recognized by its ochreous yellow forewings densely dusted with gray and marked with distinctive dark dots. The larvae are known to feed on the buds of citrus and related plants in the family Rutaceae.
Dichomeris copa
Copa Dichomeris Moth
A small gelechiid moth described by Ronald W. Hodges in 1986. The species name derives from Latin 'copa' meaning 'dancing girl.' Adults are active from June through September and have been recorded across the eastern and central United States and southern Canada. The larvae feed on goldenrod species (Solidago).
Dichomeris costarufoella
A small gelechiid moth with a wingspan of approximately 12 mm, characterized by dark forewings with a distinctive yellowish-brown basal patch. The species was described by Vactor Tousey Chambers in 1874 and occurs across central North America. Adults are active from spring through fall, with larvae feeding on Rudbeckia species.
Dichomeris delotella
Dichomeris delotella is a small gelechiid moth described by August Busck in 1909. It occurs in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Adults are active from spring through early autumn, with phenology varying by region.
Dichomeris georgiella
Georgia Dichomeris Moth
Dichomeris georgiella is a small gelechiid moth with a wingspan of 19–21 mm, distributed across eastern and central North America. Adults are active from March to October. The larvae are known to feed on scarlet oak (Quercus coccinea) and northern red oak (Quercus rubra). The species was first described by Francis Walker in 1866.
Dichomeris inserrata
Indented Dichomeris Moth
Dichomeris inserrata, commonly known as the Indented Dichomeris Moth, is a small gelechiid moth native to the United States. Adults are characterized by a wingspan of 5.4–8.3 mm. The species is associated with goldenrod as a larval host plant. It has been documented across multiple eastern and central U.S. states.
Dichomeris inversella
Inverse and Kimball's Dichomeris Moth
A small gelechiid moth of eastern North America, described by Zeller in 1873. Forewings measure 6–8 mm. Adults are active from May through August. Larvae feed on Carya (hickory) species.
Dichomeris isa
Dichomeris isa is a small moth in the family Gelechiidae, described by Ronald W. Hodges in 1986. It occurs across a broad swath of eastern and central North America, from Ontario south to Florida and west to Texas and Oklahoma. The species has a wingspan of approximately 13 mm. Like other members of the genus Dichomeris, its larvae likely feed on goldenrods (Solidago), though specific host records for this species have not been documented.
Dichomeris juncidella
Orange-dotted Dichomeris Moth
Dichomeris juncidella is a small gelechiid moth with distinctive orange spotting on dark brown forewings. It occurs across eastern and central North America, with adults active from spring through fall. The species was described by James Brackenridge Clemens in 1860.
Dichomeris kimballi
Kimball's Dichomeris Moth
Dichomeris kimballi is a small moth in the family Gelechiidae, described by Ronald W. Hodges in 1986. It is widely distributed across eastern and central North America, from southern Ontario to Florida and west to Texas and Oklahoma. The species is commonly encountered in the region, with over 500 observations recorded on iNaturalist.
Dichomeris ligulella
palmerworm, Palmerworm Moth
Dichomeris ligulella, commonly known as the palmerworm, is a small gelechiid moth native to eastern North America. Adults are active from spring through fall with a single generation per year. The species is economically notable as a foliar feeder on several hardwood trees and orchard crops.
Dichomeris mulsa
Dichomeris mulsa is a species of gelechiid moth described by Ronald W. Hodges in 1986. It is known from limited localities in the southwestern United States and Mexico. The species belongs to the large genus Dichomeris, which contains numerous small moths with varied host plant associations. Available records indicate this species remains poorly collected and documented.
Dichomeris nenia
A small moth in the family Gelechiidae described by Ronald W. Hodges in 1986. Adults are active across multiple seasons in the southeastern United States. The larval stage feeds specifically on Indigofera lindheimeri, a species of indigo plant.
Dichomeris nonstrigella
Little Devil Moth, little devil
Dichomeris nonstrigella, commonly known as the Little Devil Moth, is a small gelechiid moth described by V.T. Chambers in 1878. It occurs across eastern and central North America, with adults active in late spring and early summer. The species is notable for its specialized larval association with a single plant host.
Dichomeris offula
Dichomeris offula is a small moth in the family Gelechiidae, described by Ronald W. Hodges in 1986. It is recorded from scattered localities across eastern and central North America, with a disjunct population in western Canada. The species belongs to a large genus of gelechiid moths, many of which are associated with herbaceous plants and leaf litter habitats.
Dichomeris pelta
Dichomeris pelta is a small moth in the family Gelechiidae described by Ronald W. Hodges in 1986. It is known from a limited range in the southeastern United States, with confirmed records from South Carolina and Florida. Adults are active across multiple seasons, with flight records spanning January through June and again in October and December, suggesting either a multivoltine life cycle or extended emergence patterns. The species belongs to a large genus of gelechiid moths, many of which are poorly known biologically.
Dichomeris solatrix
A small moth in the family Gelechiidae, described from a single location in Arizona. Known from only two observations and limited published records.
Dichomeris stipendiaria
A small gelechiid moth described by Annette Frances Braun in 1925. Adults have a wingspan of 17–18 mm and are active in mid-summer. Larvae feed on several genera of Asteraceae, including goldenrods and fleabanes. The species is restricted to western North America.
Dichomeris vacciniella
Dichomeris vacciniella is a small gelechiid moth described by August Busck in 1915. It occurs across eastern North America from Canada to the southern United States. The species is associated with Vaccinium plants, with larvae feeding on cranberry and related species. Adults are active throughout much of the year, with records spanning February through October.
Dichomeris vindex
Dichomeris vindex is a small moth in the family Gelechiidae, described by Ronald W. Hodges in 1986. It is found across eastern North America from Manitoba to New Brunswick, south to Florida, and west to Louisiana and Oklahoma. The larvae feed specifically on Helianthus hirsutus, a species of sunflower.
Enchrysa
Enchrysa is a genus of small moths in the family Gelechiidae, subfamily Aristoteliinae. The genus contains at least one described species, Enchrysa dissectella, which occurs in northeastern and north-central North America. Adults are characterized by distinctive wing patterning with iridescent green scaling on dark areas of the forewings.
Exoteleia
Exoteleia is a genus of small moths in the family Gelechiidae, established by Wallengren in 1881. Species in this genus are associated with coniferous hosts, particularly pines (Pinus), where larvae function as needle miners and bud feeders. Several species are recognized as economic pests of plantation, ornamental, and Christmas tree pines in North America and Europe. The genus includes at least nine described species distributed across the Holarctic region.
Exoteleia anomala
ponderosa pine needle miner
Exoteleia anomala, commonly known as the ponderosa pine needle miner, is a small gelechiid moth whose larvae feed on the needles of Pinus ponderosa. The species is restricted to the southern United States, with confirmed records from Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Arizona. Adults are active from spring through autumn, with forewings measuring 4–5 mm in length.
Exoteleia chillcotti
A small moth in the family Gelechiidae, described by Freeman in 1963. Originally placed in the genus Coleotechnites, it was later transferred to Exoteleia. The species is documented from scattered localities in the eastern and southeastern United States.
Faculta
Palo Verde Webworm (F. inaequalis)
Faculta is a genus of small moths in the family Gelechiidae, established by Busck in 1939. The genus contains three described species: F. inaequalis, F. synthetica, and F. triangulella. F. inaequalis, commonly known as the Palo Verde Webworm, is the best-known species due to its conspicuous larval behavior of spinning silken tubes on host trees. The genus is restricted to arid regions of the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico.
Faculta inaequalis
Palo Verde webworm
Faculta inaequalis is a small gelechiid moth commonly known as the Palo Verde webworm. The species is endemic to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, where its larvae construct conspicuous silken tubes on Palo Verde trees. Despite being abundant and easily observed, many aspects of its biology remain poorly documented. The moth poses no significant economic threat to its host plants.
Faculta synthetica
Faculta synthetica is a small moth in the family Gelechiidae, described by Walsingham in 1911. It is known from a single locality in Sonora, Mexico. The species has a wingspan of 11–12 mm and exhibits distinctive blackish forewings with purplish tinge, ochreous markings, and complex spotting patterns. Very little is known about its biology beyond the original description.
Fascista
Fascista is a genus of small moths in the family Gelechiidae, established by Busck in 1939. The genus contains three described species found in North America, including the redbud leaffolder moth (F. cercerisella), whose larvae are known to fold leaves of eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) as feeding shelters. These moths are part of the diverse gelechiid fauna associated with deciduous forest habitats.
Fascista bimaculella
Fascista bimaculella is a small moth in the family Gelechiidae, found in eastern North America. The species is distinguished by its striking forewing pattern: a dark purplish-brown to black background with two prominent white markings—a large discal spot and a costal streak. It occurs in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. The specific epithet 'bimaculella' refers to these two macules (spots).
Filatima albicostella
Filatima albicostella is a small gelechiid moth described by Clarke in 1942. The species is characterized by distinctive wing patterning with a yellowish-white ground color suffused with fuscous and a contrasting pale costal edge. It occurs across a broad North American range spanning from the Pacific Northwest to the southern Great Plains and subarctic Canada.
Filatima arizonella
Filatima arizonella is a small gelechiid moth described from Arizona. The species is characterized by distinctive white markings on dark forewings and a wingspan of 13–15 mm. It belongs to the genus Filatima, a group of moths whose larvae often feed on various plant hosts, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Filatima confusatella
Filatima confusatella is a species of gelechiid moth described by Darlington in 1949. It is known from a single published record in New Jersey, United States. The species belongs to a genus of small moths whose larvae are often associated with plants in the family Solanaceae.
Filatima depuratella
Filatima depuratella is a small gelechiid moth with a wingspan of approximately 17 mm. It is known from limited records in the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona and New Mexico. The species was described by Busck in 1910 and is distinguished by its distinctive wing pattern featuring blackish markings on a pale background.
Filatima hemicrossa
Filatima hemicrossa is a small gelechiid moth with a wingspan of 20–21 mm. It occurs in scattered localities across North America including Texas, Montana, and Florida. Adults are active during spring, with flight records from April to May.
Filatima loowita
Filatima loowita is a gelechiid moth described by Adamski in 2009. The species is endemic to Washington state in the United States, where it is associated with volcanic landscapes near Mount St. Helens. Its name derives from Loowit, the indigenous name for this volcano. The species is notable for its specialized larval feeding on Lupinus lepidus, with distinct early and late instar behaviors.
Filatima nigripectus
Filatima nigripectus is a small gelechiid moth described by Walsingham in 1911. It is known from the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, with records from Arizona and Sonora. The species has a wingspan of approximately 15 mm and exhibits distinctive wing patterning characterized by mottled brownish-fuscous coloration with contrasting pale markings.
Filatima serotinella
Filatima serotinella is a small gelechiid moth with dark, patterned forewings and a broad North American distribution. Adults fly from early spring through autumn, with larvae feeding specifically on black cherry (Prunus serotina). The species is recorded from 15 U.S. states and the Canadian province of Alberta.
Filatima undescribed-species-on-ceanothus-herbaceus-one
An undescribed species in the gelechiid moth genus Filatima, currently recognized by its association with Ceanothus herbaceus. The species has not received formal taxonomic description but has been documented as a distinct entity based on host plant specificity and morphological differentiation from described congeners. It belongs to a genus of small moths whose larvae typically feed on various plant hosts, often developing within leaves or stems.
Filatima undescribed-species-on-dalea
An undescribed species of Filatima moth in the family Gelechiidae, associated with Dalea host plants. The species has been documented but not yet formally described in scientific literature. Its taxonomic status remains provisional pending formal description and naming.
Filatima undescribed-species-sl-one
Filatima undescribed-species-sl-one is an undescribed species within the gelechiid moth genus Filatima. The genus Filatima contains numerous small moths, many of which are associated with specific host plants and remain taxonomically unresolved. This particular taxon represents a provisional designation for a species awaiting formal description. As an undescribed entity, published information regarding its biology and distribution is limited or absent.