Micromoth
Guides
Adela
fairy longhorn moths
Adela is a genus of fairy longhorn moths in the family Adelidae, characterized by exceptionally long antennae—especially in males, which can possess antennae up to three times the length of their forewings. These small, delicate moths exhibit metallic coloration and are diurnal, often observed nectaring on flowers. The genus belongs to the subfamily Adelinae and is widespread across the Holarctic region.
Adelidae
Fairy Moths, Fairy Longhorn Moths
Adelidae, commonly known as fairy longhorn moths or fairy moths, is a family of small monotrysian moths in the infraorder Heteroneura. Males are distinguished by extraordinarily long antennae, often 1–3 times the length of the forewing, while females have antennae about twice the forewing length. Most species exhibit metallic coloration and are diurnal, though some are crepuscular with drab coloration. The family was first described by Charles Théophile Bruand d'Uzelle in 1851 and was formerly treated as a subfamily (Adelinae) of Incurvariidae.
Astrotischeria
trumpet leaf-miner moths
Astrotischeria is a New World genus of micromoth leaf miners in the family Tischeriidae, described in 2003. The genus is distributed across the Americas from the United States through the Caribbean and Central America to South America. Larvae are leaf miners, with most studied species associated with host plants in the Asteraceae family, particularly the subfamily Asteroideae. Some species exhibit a distinctive three-lobed male genital valva, a novel character for Tischeriidae. The genus includes at least 21 described species, with new species continuing to be discovered in the Neotropics.
Bucculatrix ainsliella
Oak Skeletonizer Moth, Oak Leaf Skeletonizer
Bucculatrix ainsliella is a micromoth in the family Bucculatricidae, described by Mary Murtfeldt in 1905. It is native to North America and has been introduced to Europe, with first records from the Netherlands and Belgium in 2011. The species is notable for its distinctive larval feeding behavior on oak leaves, progressing from internal leaf mining to external skeletonization.
Bucculatrix recognita
A small North American micromoth in the family Bucculatricidae, described by Annette Frances Braun in 1963. Adults are active from August through October. The larvae are leaf miners that feed specifically on bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa).
Carcina
oak long-horned flat-body moths
Carcina is a small genus of micromoths in the family Peleopodidae, containing four species distributed across Europe and the eastern Mediterranean. The genus is notable for its members' distinctive appearance: pastel pink or purple wings with yellow markings and exceptionally long antennae relative to body size. The most widespread species, C. quercana, serves as host for the specialized parasitoid wasp Venanides carcinae. A recently described species, C. ingridmariae, was discovered in 2025 after being misidentified as C. quercana for over a century, representing a rare case of overlooked colorful European moth diversity.
Carcina quercana
oak lantern, long-horned flat-body, oak-skeletonizer moth
Carcina quercana is a small moth in the family Peleopodidae (Depressariidae), native to Europe and recently introduced to western North America. It is distinguished by its pastel purple and yellow wing patterning and notably long antennae. The species is moderately polyphagous on deciduous trees, particularly favoring Fagaceae. Adults fly from May to October, with peak activity in July.
Coleotechnites atrupictella
Spruce Micromoth
A small gelechiid moth with a wingspan of 9–10 mm, recognized by its distinctive blackish forewing fasciae. The larvae are folivores on conifers, feeding on spruce, pine, hemlock, Douglas-fir, and subalpine fir. The species is univoltine, with adults active from April to September and larvae present in June and July. It overwinters as an egg.
Cosmopterix dapifera
Cosmopterix dapifera is a small moth in the family Cosmopterigidae, described by Hodges in 1962. It exhibits highly distinctive wing patterning with metallic golden spots and white transverse lines on greyish-brown forewings. The species has a disjunct distribution spanning the southeastern United States, Cuba, and eastern Brazil. Adults have been collected across multiple months, indicating a multivoltine life cycle.
Cremastobombycia
A genus of micromoths in the family Gracillariidae, subfamily Lithocolletinae. Species are leaf miners primarily associated with Asteraceae host plants. The genus was established by Braun in 1908 and includes at least nine described species distributed across the Americas, with recent discoveries extending its range to South American high-elevation Andean habitats. Several species have been investigated for biological control of invasive plants.
Homosetia bifasciella
Homosetia bifasciella is a small moth in the family Meessiidae, originally described from North America in 1876. The species is characterized by two pale transverse bands across the forewings, reflected in its specific epithet 'bifasciella' (meaning 'two-banded'). It belongs to a genus of moths associated with dead plant material and detritus.
Mompha raschkiella
Little Cosmet
Mompha raschkiella is a European micromoth with a wingspan of 7–11 mm. It is distinguished by its leaden metallic head, silvery face, and distinctive forewing pattern featuring orange-yellow spots and leaden-metallic markings. The species has two generations annually, with adults active in May and August. Larvae are leaf miners on rosebay willowherb (Epilobium angustifolium).
Ornixolinae
Ornixolinae is a subfamily of leaf-mining micromoths within Gracillariidae, established in 2001. Members are characterized by specialized genital structures including hindwings with small frenular bristles along the costa in both sexes, a dorsal flap on tergum VIII in males, and a sclerotized semicircular female lamella antevaginalis. The subfamily contains approximately 30 genera distributed globally, with notable radiations in Australia, Hawaii, and Asia. Larvae are endophytic leaf miners that create diagnostic mine forms including serpentine, linear, and blotch patterns.
Philonome nigrescens
Philonome nigrescens is a small moth species in the family Tineidae, first described by Sohn and Davis in 2015. It is native to the southwestern United States, with confirmed records from Arizona and New Mexico. The species name derives from Latin 'nigrescere' (meaning 'verging on black'), referencing the dark ground color of the forewings. The species is characterized by distinctive wing markings including white longitudinal and costal fasciae on dark brown forewings with a coppery luster.
Tridentaforma
Tridentaforma is a genus of micromoths constituting the sole genus of the family Tridentaformidae. It was historically classified within Incurvariidae and Prodoxidae, but molecular studies led to its elevation to a distinct family in 2015. The genus currently contains two described species: T. fuscoleuca from California and western Canada, and T. browncopper from south-central British Columbia. Both are small moths with wingspans under 21 mm.
Zelleria retiniella
Brindled zelleria
Zelleria retiniella is a species of moth in the family Yponomeutidae, commonly known as the Brindled zelleria. It was described by Forbes in 1923. The species is part of a genus whose larvae are frequently associated with coniferous hosts. Observations suggest it is active during warmer months in temperate regions.