Microlepidoptera
Guides
Elachista maculoscella
Elachista maculoscella is a small moth in the family Elachistidae. It has been documented in the northeastern United States and central Canada. The species is among the smallest North American microlepidoptera, with adults active in mid-summer.
Elachista neithanella
Elachista neithanella is a species of microlepidopteran moth in the family Elachistidae, described by Kaila in 1999. It is known from the Canadian Prairie provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta. As with other members of the genus, it is a small moth with reduced wing venation.
Elachista subalbidella
buff grass-miner
Elachista subalbidella is a small moth in the family Elachistidae with a wingspan of 10–13 mm. It is characterized by ochreous-yellow forewings and dark grey hindwings. The species is widely distributed across Europe and North America, where its larvae mine the leaves of various grasses and sedges. Adults are active in June. The common name "buff grass-miner" refers to both its coloration and larval feeding habit.
Elachista tuorella
Elachista tuorella is a species of microlepidopteran moth in the family Elachistidae. It was described by Kaila in 1999. The species is known only from Idaho in the western United States. As a member of the large genus Elachista, it likely exhibits the characteristic small size and narrow wings typical of the group, though specific details remain undocumented.
Elachistidae
Grass-miner moths, Grass Miner Moths
Elachistidae is a family of small moths in the superfamily Gelechioidea, commonly known as grass-miner moths. The family has undergone significant taxonomic revision, with modern circumscriptions restricting it to essentially the subfamily Elachistinae. Members are small to very small moths with wingspans usually around 1 cm, characterized by feather-like wings with fine hair covering the fringes and often reduced hindwings. The family contains approximately 805 valid species placed in 10 genera, with Elachista being the largest genus. Larvae are typically leaf miners or stem miners on Poales (grasses and related plants).
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.
Endothenia affiliana
Endothenia affiliana is a species of tortricid moth described by James Halliday McDunnough in 1942. It belongs to the genus Endothenia, a group of small moths within the subfamily Olethreutinae. The species is poorly documented in scientific literature, with minimal published information regarding its biology and ecology.
Enteucha basidactyla
Enteucha basidactyla is a minute moth in the family Nepticulidae, one of the smallest families of moths. It occurs in the Neotropical and Nearctic regions, with records from southwestern Florida, Dominica, Belize, and Ecuador. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in size, with females notably larger than males. It is a leaf-mining specialist on seagrape (Coccoloba uvifera) in Caribbean populations.
Enteucha gilvafascia
Enteucha gilvafascia is a minute leaf-mining moth in the family Nepticulidae. It is restricted to coastal southern Florida, where it completes two generations annually. The species is entirely dependent on seagrape (Coccoloba uvifera) for larval development, with larvae creating distinctive mines within the leaves.
Epermeniidae
fringe-tufted moths
Epermeniidae, commonly called fringe-tufted moths, is a family of small Lepidoptera containing approximately 14 genera. The family is placed in its own superfamily Epermenioidea, though its systematic position among the apoditrysian group "Obtectomera" remains uncertain. Members are characterized by distinctive projecting scale tufts on the inner margin of the hindwing and whorls of bristles on the legs. The group has been extensively revised by Dr. Reinhard Gaedike, with major genera including Epermenia, Ochromolopis, and Gnathifera.
Epiblema iowana
Epiblema iowana is a small tortricid moth species described by James Halliday McDunnough in 1935. It belongs to the leafroller moth family Tortricidae, a large group known for caterpillars that roll or fold leaves for shelter. The genus Epiblema contains numerous small, often inconspicuous species that can be challenging to identify. Very few documented observations of this species exist, with only four records in iNaturalist as of the knowledge cutoff.
Epiblema periculosana
Epiblema periculosana is a small tortricid moth (family Tortricidae, subfamily Olethreutinae) described by Heinrich in 1923. Like other members of the genus Epiblema, it is a leafroller moth whose larvae likely feed within rolled or tied leaves. The species is poorly documented in public sources, with limited observational records available.
Epiblema praesumptiosa
Epiblema praesumptiosa is a species of tortricid moth in the family Tortricidae, subfamily Olethreutinae. It was described by Heinrich in 1923. Like other members of the genus Epiblema, it belongs to the tribe Eucosmini. The species has been documented through iNaturalist observations, though detailed biological information remains limited in published sources.
Epiblema tandana
Epiblema tandana is a small moth species in the family Tortricidae, first described by Kearfott in 1907. It belongs to the diverse Olethreutinae subfamily of leafroller moths. Records indicate its presence in Manitoba, Canada. As with many Epiblema species, detailed ecological information remains limited.
Epinotia kasloana
Epinotia kasloana is a species of tortricid moth described by James Halliday McDunnough in 1925. It belongs to the large genus Epinotia, which contains numerous small moths commonly known as tortrix moths or leafroller moths. The species is part of the subfamily Olethreutinae and tribe Eucosmini. Like other members of its genus, it is likely a small moth with larvae that feed internally in plant tissues, though specific biological details for this species remain limited in published literature.
Epinotia subplicana
Epinotia subplicana is a small tortricid moth in the family Tortricidae, subfamily Olethreutinae, and tribe Eucosmini. The species was described by Walsingham in 1879. As a member of the genus Epinotia, it belongs to a diverse group of small moths commonly known as tortrix moths or leafroller moths, many of which are associated with coniferous hosts.
Etainia
Etainia is a genus of minute moths in the family Nepticulidae, established by Beirne in 1945. It was formerly treated as a subgenus of Ectoedemia but has been elevated to generic status. The genus contains species distributed across North America and Europe, with larvae that are leafminers and stem borers on woody plants. At least two native North American species are known, including Etainia thoraceleuca, which feeds on Ericaceae.
Etainia thoraceleuca
Etainia thoraceleuca is a North American moth in the family Nepticulidae, described in 2024 as the second native American species in the genus. It is known from light-collected adults across California, Arizona, and Ontario, Canada. The species is a specialist feeder on Ericaceae, with larvae making short leafmines on Arbutus and Arctostaphylos species before continuing development in stems and branches. It is sister to the European species E. albibimaculella.
Ethmia
Ethmia is a large genus of small gelechioid moths comprising over 250 described species globally. The genus serves as the type genus for family Ethmiidae (sometimes treated as subfamily within Elachistidae or Oecophoridae). Species are characterized by distinctive black, white, and gray patterned forewings, and most larvae feed on plants in the Boraginaceae family, with Gesneriaceae recorded as an additional host family in the Neotropics. The genus exhibits greatest diversity in arid and semi-arid regions, with substantial radiations in southwestern North America and the Neotropics.
Ethmia bittenella
Ethmia bittenella is a small moth species in the family Ethmiidae (formerly Depressariidae), distributed across the southwestern United States, Mexico, and northwestern Costa Rica. Adults exhibit distinctive wing patterning with metallic blue reflections. The species shows pronounced seasonality, with adult activity concentrated in spring and summer months. Larval biology remains incompletely documented, with possible association with Ehretia anacua.
Ethmia burnsella
Ethmia burnsella is a small moth species in the family Ethmiidae (formerly placed in Depressariidae), described by Powell in 1973. It is known only from northern Texas in the United States. The species is characterized by distinctive wing coloration with pale ocherous forewings featuring contrasting dark markings. Like other members of the genus Ethmia, it likely has larvae that feed on plants in the Boraginaceae family or related families, though specific host records for this species are not documented.
Ethmia discostrigella
mountain-mahogany moth
Ethmia discostrigella, commonly known as the mountain-mahogany moth, is a small moth in the family Depressariidae. It occurs across western North America from the western United States south into Mexico. The species exhibits notable geographic variation, with two recognized subspecies occupying distinct ranges separated by the Sierra Nevada: the nominate subspecies east of the Sierra Nevada and subspecies subcaerulea west of the range. Larvae feed on Cercocarpus species (mountain-mahogany), making this a host-specialist moth with clear ecological ties to its namesake plant.
Ethmia hagenella
Ethmia hagenella is a small moth in the family Ethmiidae (formerly placed in Depressariidae), found in Texas and New Mexico. The species has two recognized subspecies with distinct geographic ranges and adult flight periods. It is one of approximately 50 Ethmia species occurring north of Mexico, most of which are concentrated in the southwestern United States.
Ethmia hodgesella
Ethmia hodgesella is a small moth in the family Ethmiidae, described by Powell in 1973. The species occurs in the southwestern United States (Texas, Arizona, California) and extends along both sides of the central cordillera of Mexico. Adults have distinctive forewing patterning with a serpentine longitudinal line dividing whitish dorsal and dark brownish gray costal areas.
Ethmia longimaculella
streaked ethmia moth
Ethmia longimaculella, commonly known as the streaked ethmia moth, is a small moth in the family Depressariidae. The species is characterized by distinctive black longitudinal streaks on white forewings. It occurs across eastern North America from southern Canada to Texas, with two recognized subspecies showing different seasonal flight patterns. The larvae are specialized feeders on plants in the Boraginaceae family.
Ethmia macelhosiella
Ethmia macelhosiella is a small moth in the family Ethmiidae (formerly placed in Depressariidae). It is found in the eastern and central United States, with records from Missouri, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Oklahoma. Adults are active in autumn, with flight records from October and November. The larvae feed on Phacelia species (Boraginaceae family).
Ethmia marmorea
Ethmia marmorea is a small moth in the family Depressariidae, distributed across western North America from the Great Basin and Rocky Mountains. The species exhibits distinctive wing patterning with a longitudinal dividing line separating dark and light areas. Adults are active during summer months, with likely a single generation per year. Larval biology remains poorly documented for this species.
Ethmia mirusella
Ethmia mirusella is a small moth in the family Ethmiidae (formerly placed in Depressariidae). It occurs in the south-central United States, with adults active in spring and late summer through early autumn. The species exhibits bivoltine phenology with two generations per year. Larvae feed on Lithospermum species in the Boraginaceae family.
Ethmia monachella
Ethmia monachella is a small moth in the family Ethmiidae, known from Colorado and Oklahoma in the United States. The species was described by August Busck in 1910. Adults have distinctive wing patterning with contrasting dark and light markings typical of the genus. The genus Ethmia is notable for its larval specialization on plants in the Boraginaceae family and related families.
Ethmia nivosella
Ethmia nivosella is a small moth in the family Ethmiidae (Depressariidae in some classifications), distributed across the West Indies from Jamaica and eastern Cuba to the Bahamas and Puerto Rico, with possible occurrence in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Trinidad. The species exhibits distinctive metallic purplish-bronze coloration on the forewings against a whitish hindwing ground color. Adults are active during multiple periods throughout the year, with flight records from January to March, July, and October depending on location.
Ethmia semilugens
Ethmia semilugens is a small moth in the family Ethmiidae (formerly placed in Depressariidae). It occurs in arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, with adults active primarily in late winter and early spring in Texas, extending into September in Chihuahua. The species produces two generations annually. Larvae feed on specific host plants in the Boraginaceae family.
Ethmia semiombra
Ethmia semiombra is a small moth in the family Ethmiidae (Depressariidae in some classifications) found in Texas and Mexico. Adults exhibit a distinctive wing pattern with dark coloration on the costal half of the forewings contrasting with whitish, gray-tinged dorsal half. The species shows pronounced seasonality with adults active in February, May, June, September (Texas), and July (Tamaulipas), suggesting multiple generations per year. Two subspecies are recognized: E. s. semiombra in eastern Mexico and southern Texas, and E. s. nebulombra in the Yucatán.
Ethmia semitenebrella
Ethmia semitenebrella is a moth in the family Depressariidae, first described by Dyar in 1902. It is distributed across the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, with a bivoltine flight period from April to August. The species is characterized by distinct wing patterning with dark gray forewing costal halves contrasting with whitish gray dorsal halves. Larvae feed on Cercocarpus ledifolius and likely other Cercocarpus species.
Ethmia sphenisca
Ethmia sphenisca is a small moth in the family Ethmiidae (formerly Depressariidae), described by Powell in 1973. It is restricted to high-elevation regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico. The species is characterized by distinctive black-and-white wing patterning and forewing lengths of 10–13 mm. Like other members of the genus Ethmia, it likely has larval host associations with plants in the Boraginaceae family, though this has not been directly documented for this species.
Ethmia submissa
Ethmia submissa is a small moth in the family Ethmiidae, found in the Caribbean and southern Florida. The species is one of approximately 50 Ethmia species known north of Mexico, with most occurring in the southwestern United States. Adults are active during multiple periods throughout the year, with flight times varying by region. The species is notable for its distinctive wing pattern that distinguishes it from similar congeners.
Ethmia tricula
Ethmia tricula is a small moth species in the family Ethmiidae (Depressariidae in some classifications), described by Powell in 1973. It is endemic to California, United States. At approximately 4.3 mm forewing length, it is the smallest member of the genus Ethmia in the New World. The species is characterized by uniformly dull gray-brown wings with matching fringes.
Ethmia umbrimarginella
Ethmia umbrimarginella is a small moth in the family Depressariidae, first described by Busck in 1907. It is found in the southwestern United States, specifically in southern Arizona and New Mexico. The species is characterized by its distinctive wing pattern: dark slate gray forewings with a dirty white costal edge, and white hindwings with a broad dark gray margin. Adults have been recorded in February.
Euclemensia
Euclemensia is a genus of small moths in the family Cosmopterigidae, subfamily Antequerinae. The genus contains at least five described species distributed in North America, including the Kermes Scale Moth (Euclemensia bassettella), which has been documented feeding on scale insects. These are minute moths, with adults typically measuring only a few millimeters in wingspan. The genus was established by Grote in 1878.
Euclemensia barksdalensis
Euclemensia barksdalensis is a micro-moth in the family Cosmopterigidae, described from Louisiana in 2011. The species is named for Barksdale Air Force Base, its type locality. Sexual dimorphism in forewing length has been documented, with males slightly larger than females. This species belongs to a genus whose members are associated with scale insects.
Eucosma awemeana
Eucosma awemeana is a species of tortricid moth in the family Tortricidae, described by William D. Kearfott in 1907. The species belongs to the large genus Eucosma, which contains numerous small moths commonly known as phaneta or eucosma moths. As with most members of Olethreutinae, the larvae are likely internal feeders within plant tissues, though specific host associations for this species remain poorly documented.
Eucosma gemellana
Eucosma gemellana is a small tortricid moth described by Heinrich in 1923. The species belongs to the large genus Eucosma, which contains numerous seed-feeding tortricids associated with Asteraceae and related plant families. This species is rarely encountered and poorly documented in the scientific literature, with only a handful of observations recorded.
Eucosma gomonana
Eucosma gomonana is a species of tortricid moth in the subfamily Olethreutinae, described by Kearfott in 1907. The species is provisionally accepted in current taxonomic databases and has been documented through limited observations. As a member of the genus Eucosma, it belongs to a group of small moths commonly known as bell moths or shoot moths, many of which are associated with specific host plants. Detailed biological information remains scarce due to limited study.
Eucosma knudsoni
Eucosma knudsoni is a species of tortricid moth described from Texas in 2015. It belongs to a large genus of small moths commonly known as bell moths or eucosmas, many of which are associated with Asteraceae host plants. The species is known from very few observations, reflecting both its recent description and likely restricted distribution or cryptic habits. As a member of the Olethreutinae subfamily, it possesses the characteristic tortricid resting posture with wings held rooflike over the body.
Eucosma modernana
Eucosma modernana is a species of tortricid moth in the family Tortricidae, subfamily Olethreutinae. It was described by James Halliday McDunnough in 1925. The genus Eucosma comprises numerous small to medium-sized moths, many of which are associated with Asteraceae host plants. Specific ecological details for E. modernana remain poorly documented.
Eucosma montanana
Eucosma montanana is a species of tortricid moth first described by Walsingham in 1884. It belongs to the family Tortricidae (leafroller moths), a large and economically important group of moths. The species is placed in the subfamily Olethreutinae and tribe Eucosmini. As a member of the genus Eucosma, it is part of a diverse group of small moths, many of which are associated with specific host plants.
Eucosma pallidarcis
Eucosma pallidarcis is a small tortricid moth described by Heinrich in 1923. As a member of the genus Eucosma, it belongs to a diverse group of moths commonly known as bell moths or shoot moths. The species is documented in North America, with observations primarily from the United States. Like other Eucosma species, adults are nocturnal and attracted to light. Larval biology remains poorly documented for this particular species.
Eucosma patagoniana
Eucosma patagoniana is a species of tortricid moth described by Wright in 2014. The species epithet refers to Patagonia, the region of southern Argentina and Chile where the type specimens were collected. As a member of the large genus Eucosma, it belongs to a group of small moths commonly known as phaneta moths or tortricid leafrollers. The species is known from a limited number of observations, reflecting the generally understudied nature of Neotropical tortricid diversity.
Eucosma striatana
Striated Eucosma Moth
Eucosma striatana is a small tortricid moth in the tribe Eucosmini. The species was described from North America by Clemens in 1860, originally placed in the genus Anchylopera. It is part of a species complex within Eucosma that is challenging to distinguish morphologically. The common name refers to the striated or lined appearance of the forewings.
Eucosma verna
Speckled Eucosma Moth
Eucosma verna is a small tortricid moth described by Miller in 1971. It belongs to the large genus Eucosma, which contains numerous species of tortrix moths, many of which are associated with composite plants. The species is known from the northeastern United States, with confirmed records from Vermont.
Eupithecia columbrata
Eupithecia columbrata is a species of pug moth in the family Geometridae, first described by McDunnough in 1940. The genus Eupithecia, commonly known as 'pugs,' is recognized by narrow wings and a distinctive resting posture. Members of this genus are among the most diverse and challenging to identify within Geometridae, with many species requiring microscopic examination of genitalia for definitive identification. Eupithecia moths have been documented as nocturnal visitors to flowering plants, including apple blossoms, contributing to pollination services.