Microlepidoptera
Guides
Aristotelia sp.
twirler moth
Aristotelia is a genus of small moths in the family Gelechiidae, commonly known as twirler moths. Multiple undescribed species are known to occur in North America, particularly in the southwestern United States. These moths are characterized by bold, distinctive markings despite their small size. The genus contains approximately 35 named species north of Mexico, with many more awaiting formal scientific description.
Aristotelia undescribed-ex-quercus
twirler moth
Aristotelia undescribed-ex-quercus is a small, undescribed species of twirler moth in the family Gelechiidae. The informal epithet "ex-quercus" indicates an association with oak (Quercus) as a larval host plant. Like other Aristotelia species, it is tiny but boldly marked. The genus contains approximately 35 named species in North America north of Mexico, with many additional species awaiting formal description. Each Aristotelia species appears to specialize on a particular host plant, though collectively the genus utilizes many plant families.
Aroga
Twirler moths, Stripe-backed moths
Aroga is a genus of small moths in the family Gelechiidae, commonly known as twirler moths. Species in this genus are typically nocturnal and attracted to light. The genus includes Arogalea cristifasciella, known as the Stripe-backed Moth, which has been documented in suburban settings in Kansas. Aroga species are part of the diverse microlepidoptera fauna that are often overlooked due to their small size.
Aroga camptogramma
Aroga camptogramma is a small moth in the family Gelechiidae. It is known from limited records in the southwestern United States. The species has a wingspan of 8–9 mm. Published information on its biology and ecology remains sparse.
Aroga compositella
Six-spotted Aroga Moth, six-spotted aroga
Aroga compositella is a small gelechiid moth with distinctive white markings on dark forewings. The species occurs across much of the eastern and central United States. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to light.
Arogalea cristifasciella
Stripe-backed Moth, White Stripe-backed Moth
Arogalea cristifasciella is a small gelechiid moth known as the stripe-backed moth or white stripe-backed moth. It is widely distributed across eastern and central North America, with records from over 25 U.S. states and Canadian provinces. The species is characterized by its small size, with forewings approximately 5 mm in length, and adults are active from January through August. It is frequently encountered at light traps and is one of many small moths that contribute to the high diversity of North American Lepidoptera.
Arotrura divaricata
Arotrura divaricata is a species of moth in the family Scythrididae, described by Braun in 1923. The genus Arotrura is part of a small family of microlepidoptera commonly known as flower moths. Very little specific information is available about this particular species.
Asaphocrita
Asaphocrita is a genus of moths in the family Blastobasidae, established by Edward Meyrick in 1931. The genus contains numerous species, though many remain poorly documented. Blastobasidae moths are generally small with relatively plain coloration. Asaphocrita species are found in Southeast Asia based on available distribution records.
Aspilanta ampelopsifoliella
A minute leaf-mining moth in the family Heliozelidae, native to eastern North America. Adults have a wingspan of 5–5.3 mm and are externally indistinguishable from the congeneric A. oinophylla. The larvae create distinctive serpentine-blotch mines in leaves of Virginia creeper and false Virginia creeper, cutting out a shield-shaped pupal case before emerging.
Aspilanta argentifera
Aspilanta argentifera is a minute moth in the family Heliozelidae, originally described by Annette Frances Braun in 1927 and transferred from Antispila to the new genus Aspilanta in 2020 based on molecular phylogenetics. The species is restricted to eastern North America and is a leaf miner whose larvae feed exclusively on plants in the family Myricaceae. Adults have distinctive silvery-white markings on dark brown forewings.
Aspilanta voraginella
Aspilanta voraginella is a small moth in the family Heliozelidae, originally described by Annette Frances Braun in 1927 and transferred from Antispila to the new genus Aspilanta based on reduced wing venation and phylogenetic evidence. Adults have a wingspan of 4.7–5.4 mm. The species is found in the southwestern United States, where its larvae are gregarious leaf miners on Vitis arizonica.
Astrotischeria solidagonifoliella
A small leaf-mining moth in the family Tischeriidae, described by James Brackenridge Clemens in 1859. The larvae create distinctive mines in leaves of goldenrod (Solidago) species. The species occurs across eastern North America.
Athrips
Athrips is a genus of small moths in the family Gelechiidae containing approximately 60 described species distributed across the Palaearctic and Afrotropical regions. Species are organized into species-groups based on morphological and presumably phylogenetic relationships, with the largest diversity centered in arid and semi-arid regions of Central Asia. The genus was revised taxonomically in 2005 for the Palaearctic region, with subsequent revisions for China (2009) and Africa (2010). One species, A. mouffetella, has been genome-sequenced as part of the Darwin Tree of Life Project.
Athrips mouffetella
Ten-spotted Honeysuckle Moth, Dotted Grey Groundling
Athrips mouffetella is a small gelechiid moth known by two common names reflecting its appearance and host association. Adults fly from June to early September and are readily attracted to light. The species has a broad Palearctic distribution and has been introduced to North America. Its larvae feed exclusively on honeysuckle and snowberry, spinning silken webs on terminal leaves.
Autostichidae
Autostichidae is a family of small moths in the superfamily Gelechioidea, comprising approximately 600 described species worldwide. The family is divided into six subfamilies: Autostichinae, Deocloninae, Glyphidocerinae, Holcopogoninae, Oegoconiinae, and Symmocinae. Species-level taxonomy has been extensively studied in Asia, particularly for the genus Meleonoma in China, where over 70 new species have been described in recent years. The family exhibits considerable morphological diversity in genitalia structure, which serves as a primary diagnostic feature for species identification.
Barbara
Barbara is a genus of moths in the family Tortricidae, subfamily Olethreutinae, tribe Eucosmini. The genus was established by Heinrich in 1923. These are small moths, typically with wingspans under 20 mm, belonging to a large family of tortrix or leafroller moths. Members of this genus are found in North America, with records from the northeastern United States including Vermont. The genus is part of a diverse group of microlepidoptera whose larvae often feed internally in plant tissues.
Batia
Batia is a genus of small moths in the family Oecophoridae, first described by Stephens in 1834. These moths belong to the superfamily Gelechioidea, a large and diverse group of microlepidoptera. The genus contains at least seven described species, including Batia unitella, Batia lambdella, and Batia lunaris.
Battaristis
Battaristis is a genus of small moths in the family Gelechiidae, established by Edward Meyrick in 1914. The genus contains approximately 27 described species distributed primarily in North America. Species within this genus are characterized by distinctive wing patterns and are placed in the subfamily Anacampsinae. Many species were originally described from the southwestern United States, with some ranging into Central America.
Battaristis
Battaristis is a genus of small moths in the family Gelechiidae, a large and diverse group of microlepidoptera commonly known as twirler moths. The genus contains multiple species, including at least one undescribed species that has been documented but not formally named in scientific literature. Gelechiidae moths are characterized by their relatively small size and often subtle coloration. Species within Battaristis are poorly documented in public sources, with limited information available regarding their biology, distribution, and distinguishing characteristics.
Battaristis cyclella
Battaristis cyclella is a small gelechiid moth described by August Busck in 1903. It is known from the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona and Utah. The species is characterized by distinctive wing patterning with contrasting dark olive-brown markings on a pale yellowish forewing background.
Battaristis vittella
stripe-backed moth, Orange Stripe-backed Moth
A small gelechiid moth with a wingspan of 8–10 mm, recorded from the eastern United States and southern Canada. First described by Busck in 1916 under the basionym Duvita vittella. The species is relatively well-documented with over 1,600 iNaturalist observations.
Bedellia
morning-glory leaf miner
Bedellia is the sole genus of the family Bedelliidae, a group of small, narrow-winged moths. Most authorities recognize Bedelliidae as a distinct family, though some classifications treat it as the subfamily Bedelliinae within Lyonetiidae. The genus contains several species, with Bedellia somnulentella (the sweet potato leafminer) being the most economically significant. This species is an invasive pest of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) and related Convolvulaceae, with larvae feeding as leafminers in the leaf mesophyll.
Bedellia somnulentella
sweet potato leaf miner, morning-glory leafminer moth
Bedellia somnulentella is a microlepidopteran leaf-mining moth in the family Bedelliidae, native to Asia and now nearly cosmopolitan in distribution. It is a significant agricultural pest of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) and related Convolvulaceae, with larvae feeding on leaf mesophyll and reducing photosynthetic capacity. The species has expanded its range through association with cultivated crops and maintains populations on wild Ipomoea species during off-season periods. It has been documented across Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Oceania.
Bedelliidae
Bedelliidae is a small family of microlepidoptera containing the single genus Bedellia. These narrow-winged moths were previously classified within Lyonetiidae. The family is best known for the sweet potato leafminer Bedellia somnulentella, an invasive agricultural pest that feeds on Convolvulaceae.
Bohemannia
Bohemannia is a genus of minute moths in the family Nepticulidae, commonly known as microlepidoptera. The genus contains nine described species distributed primarily across Europe and East Asia. These moths are among the smallest lepidopterans, with most species described in the 19th and 20th centuries. Larvae of Nepticulidae are leaf miners, though specific host associations for most Bohemannia species remain poorly documented.
Bohemannia pulverosella
Dusty Apple Pigmy
Bohemannia pulverosella is a species of minute moth in the family Nepticulidae, commonly known as the Dusty Apple Pigmy. It is distributed across much of Europe, from Fennoscandia south to the Iberian Peninsula and east to central Russia and Ukraine. The species is characterized by its small size, yellow head, and ochreous wings speckled with black. Identification to species level requires microscopic examination of the genitalia.
Bucculatrix
ribbed cocoon-maker moths
Bucculatrix is a genus of small moths in the family Bucculatricidae, commonly known as ribbed cocoon-maker moths. Larvae of many species are leaf miners on specific host plants, with some species exhibiting hypermetamorphosis—shifting from leaf mining in early instars to leaf skeletonization in later instars. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution with species described from all major continents.
Bucculatrix adelpha
Bucculatrix adelpha is a small moth in the family Bucculatricidae, described by Annette Frances Braun in 1963. The species is known from limited records in eastern North America. Adults are active in early summer, and larvae feed on Aster species.
Bucculatrix agnella
Bucculatrix agnella is a species of minute moth in the family Bucculatricidae, first described by James Brackenridge Clemens in 1860. The species is known from scattered records across eastern and central North America, with a wingspan of approximately 7 mm. Like other members of its genus, it is commonly referred to as a 'ribbed cocoon-maker moth' due to the distinctive ribbed structure of its larval cocoon.
Bucculatrix albertiella
Oak Ribbed Casemaker, Oak-ribbed Skeletonizer
A minute moth in the family Bucculatricidae, described by August Busck in 1909. The species is restricted to the west coast of North America and is associated with oak hosts. Larvae are leaf miners that produce distinctive ribbed cocoons.
Bucculatrix anaticula
Bucculatrix anaticula is a microlepidopteran moth in the family Bucculatricidae, first described by Annette Frances Braun in 1963. The species is known from only a handful of records in eastern North America, specifically from Ontario, Canada and Kentucky, USA. Like other members of the genus, it is commonly referred to as a "ribbed cocoon-maker moth" due to the distinctive ribbed structure of its larval cocoon. The genus Bucculatrix contains approximately 300 described species, most of which are poorly known and difficult to identify without examination of genitalia.
Bucculatrix ceanothiella
Bucculatrix ceanothiella is a minute moth in the family Bucculatricidae, first described by Annette Frances Braun in 1918. The species is known only from California, with a wingspan of approximately 6.5 mm. Adults are active during multiple periods throughout the year, and larvae are specialized leaf miners on Ceanothus species.
Bucculatrix enceliae
Bucculatrix enceliae is a minute moth in the family Bucculatricidae, described by Annette Frances Braun in 1963. The species is restricted to the southwestern United States, with confirmed records from California and Arizona. Adults are active in spring, and the larvae are specialized leaf miners of Encelia farinosa, a desert shrub in the sunflower family.
Bucculatrix inusitata
Cedar Bucculatrix
Bucculatrix inusitata is a minute moth in the family Bucculatricidae, described by Annette Frances Braun in 1963. It is one of the 'ribbed cocoon-maker' moths, named for the distinctive cocoon structure constructed by larvae. The species is known from a limited geographic range in northeastern North America, with records from Quebec to New Jersey. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 9.5–10 mm.
Bucculatrix packardella
Bucculatrix packardella is a minute moth species in the family Bucculatricidae, described by Vactor Tousey Chambers in 1873. It is one of approximately 100 described species in the genus Bucculatrix, commonly known as ribbed cocoon-maker moths. The species is documented from the northeastern and north-central United States and adjacent Canada.
Bucculatrix pomifoliella
Apple Skeletonizer Moth
Bucculatrix pomifoliella is a minute moth in the family Bucculatricidae, first described by James Brackenridge Clemens in 1860. It is known from eastern and central North America, with records spanning from the northeastern United States through the Midwest and into western Canada. The species is recognized for its leaf-mining larvae that feed on Rosaceae host plants, including apple (Malus) and various Prunus species.
Bucculatrix quadrigemina
A small moth in the family Bucculatricidae, described by Annette Frances Braun in 1918. Known from California, where larvae mine leaves of Althaea rosea (hollyhock). Adults fly from January through June and again in October. The species exhibits typical bucculatricid biology: early instars are leaf miners, later instars feed externally creating holes, and pupation occurs in a white cocoon.
Bucculatrix separabilis
Bucculatrix separabilis is a species of moth in the family Bucculatricidae, described by Annette Frances Braun in 1963. It is known only from California, where it has been recorded as a leaf miner on Baccharis pilularis. As a member of the genus Bucculatrix, it is part of a group commonly known as 'ribbed cocoon-maker moths' due to the distinctive ribbed structure of their larval cocoons. The species is poorly documented in scientific literature beyond its original description.
Bucculatrix solidaginiella
Goldenrod Bucculatrix
Bucculatrix solidaginiella is a small moth in the family Bucculatricidae, described by Annette Frances Braun in 1963. It is found in eastern and central North America, with records from Florida to Maine and west to Missouri. The species is associated with goldenrod (Solidago) as a larval host plant. Adults are active from spring through mid-summer.
Bucculatrix sororcula
Bucculatrix sororcula is a micro-moth in the family Bucculatricidae, first described by Annette Frances Braun in 1963. It is recorded from Arizona and California in western North America. Members of this genus are commonly known as ribbed cocoon-maker moths due to the distinctive ribbed structure of their larval cocoons. The family Bucculatricidae is a small group of leaf-mining moths within the superfamily Gracillarioidea.
Bucculatrix taeniola
Bucculatrix taeniola is a small moth species in the family Bucculatricidae, described by Annette Frances Braun in 1963. It is known from California, North America. The larvae feed on white sage, which may refer to Salvia apiana or Eurotia lanata. As a member of the genus Bucculatrix, it is commonly referred to as a 'ribbed cocoon-maker moth' due to the distinctive ribbed cocoons constructed by larvae of this genus.
Bucculatrix thurberiella
Cotton Leaf Perforator
Bucculatrix thurberiella, commonly known as the cotton leaf perforator, is a minute moth in the family Bucculatricidae. The species was described by August Busck in 1914. Native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, it has been introduced to Hawaii. Adults have a wingspan of 7–9 mm. Larvae are leaf miners that feed internally within host plant foliage.
Bucculatrix transversata
Bucculatrix transversata is a minute moth in the family Bucculatricidae, first described by Annette Frances Braun in 1910. It is known only from California, with a wingspan of approximately 7 mm. The species is associated with Ambrosia psilostachya (western ragweed), on which its larvae feed. Adults are active in July, with larval development occurring in October.
Bucculatrix trifasciella
Three-banded ribbed cocoon-maker moth
Bucculatrix trifasciella is a small moth in the family Bucculatricidae, first described by James Brackenridge Clemens in 1866. The larvae are leaf miners on oak (Quercus) species, creating distinctive feeding patterns within leaf tissue. The species is found in eastern North America, with records from the northeastern United States and Ontario, Canada.
Cacotherapia bilinealis
Cacotherapia bilinealis is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae, described from Arizona in 1918. It belongs to the subfamily Galleriinae, which includes many species associated with stored products and plant materials. The species remains poorly known, with only five observations recorded on iNaturalist. Its specific epithet "bilinealis" refers to two lines, likely describing a wing pattern feature.
Callima argenticinctella
Orange-headed Callima Moth, Orange-headed Epicallima Moth
A small concealer moth in the family Oecophoridae, with a wingspan of 10–13 mm. The forewings display distinctive yellowish-orange coloration with silvery black-margined lines and a deep reddish-orange basal area. The species is found in deciduous forests across eastern North America, from Nova Scotia to Texas. Adults are attracted to ultraviolet light and are active from spring through autumn.
Callima nathrax
Callima nathrax is a species of concealer moth in the family Oecophoridae, described by Hodges in 1973. It belongs to the subfamily Oecophorinae, a diverse group of small moths commonly known as concealer moths due to their habit of hiding in concealed locations during daylight hours. The genus Callima contains multiple species of similar small moths, with C. nathrax being one of the less documented members. Very little specific information has been published about this species' biology, distribution, or ecology.
Caloptilia anthobaphes
A leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae, found in eastern North America. The larvae feed on Vaccinium species, creating mines in leaves. Adults are attracted to ultraviolet light sources. The species was described by Edward Meyrick in 1921.
Caloptilia bimaculatella
Maple Caloptilia Moth
Caloptilia bimaculatella is a small leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae. It is known from eastern North America, with records from Canada (Ontario, Québec, Nova Scotia) and the eastern United States. The species has a wingspan of 9–10 mm. Larvae feed on red maple (Acer rubrum), creating blotch mines in the leaves.
Caloptilia blandella
Walnut Caloptilia Moth
Caloptilia blandella is a small moth in the family Gracillariidae, commonly known as the Walnut Caloptilia Moth. It has a wingspan of approximately 9 mm. The species is distributed across eastern North America, with records from Canada (Québec) and several U.S. states including Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maine, Maryland, Texas, and Kentucky. Larvae are leaf miners that feed on shagbark hickory (Carya ovata) and black walnut (Juglans nigra).