Momphidae
Guides
Mompha albocapitella
White-based Mompha
Mompha albocapitella is a small moth in the family Momphidae, commonly known as the White-based Mompha. The species was described by Chambers in 1875 and is part of a genus characterized by narrow wings and often striking wing patterns. It is relatively well-documented on citizen science platforms with over 1,000 observations, suggesting it is moderately common and detectable. Like other Mompha species, it is likely associated with specific host plants, though detailed natural history remains incompletely documented.
Mompha bottimeri
Bottimer's Mompha
Mompha bottimeri is a small moth in the family Momphidae, first described by August Busck in 1940. The species is named in honor of T. N. Bottimer, a Texas entomologist who collected the type specimens. It belongs to a genus of moths whose larvae are predominantly internal feeders on plant tissues, particularly stems and fruits. The species has been documented primarily from Texas and neighboring regions in the southern United States.
Mompha capella
Mompha capella is a small moth species in the family Momphidae, described by August Busck in 1940. The genus Mompha comprises species commonly known as momphid moths, many of which are associated with specific host plants. M. capella is one of numerous described species in this genus, though detailed biological information remains limited.
Mompha cephalonthiella
Mompha cephalonthiella is a small moth species in the family Momphidae, first described by Chambers in 1871. The species was originally placed in the genus Laverna before being transferred to Mompha. Like other members of its family, it is likely associated with specific host plants, though detailed biological information remains limited in published sources.
Mompha claudiella
Mompha claudiella is a small moth species in the family Momphidae, described by Kearfott in 1907. The species is known from the Canadian prairie provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to have a narrow host plant association, though specific details remain undocumented.
Mompha definitella
A small moth in the family Momphidae, first described by Zeller in 1873. This species is known from limited observations in western Canada. Like other Momphidae, it likely has narrow wings and a compact body form. The specific epithet 'definitella' refers to its original description under the genus Laverna.
Mompha idaei
Mompha idaei is a small moth in the family Momphidae, described by Philipp Christoph Zeller in 1839. It has a Holarctic distribution, occurring across boreal regions of North America and Europe. The species is notable for its larval association with Epilobium (willowherb) species, where larvae develop in the roots.
Mompha sp. (on Spermacoce)
An undescribed species in the genus Mompha, a family of small moths known for their narrow wings and association with specific host plants. This taxon is recognized from specimens reared or collected on Spermacoce species, a genus of flowering plants in the coffee family (Rubiaceae). As an undescribed species, it lacks formal scientific description and has not been assigned a species epithet. Its existence is documented through association with this particular host plant genus.
Mompha terminella
Enchanter's Cosmet
Mompha terminella is a small microlepidopteran moth in the family Momphidae, commonly known as Enchanter's Cosmet. It has a trans-Palearctic distribution across Europe and is also present in North America. The species is specialized on enchanter's nightshade (Circaea spp.), with larvae mining leaves of their host plants. Adults are rarely encountered in the field, with most records coming from larval leaf mines.
Mompha undescribed-species-on-crocanthemum
An undescribed species in the genus Mompha (family Momphidae) associated with the plant genus Crocanthemum. The species remains formally undescribed in scientific literature. Its host relationship with Crocanthemum distinguishes it from described congeners.
Mompha undescribed-species-on-diodia
An undescribed species in the genus Mompha (family Momphidae) associated with plants in the genus Diodia. Momphidae are small moths commonly known as mompha moths or twirler moths, many of which are specialists on particular host plants. This taxon represents a known but not yet formally described entity, indicating ongoing research or recognition by specialists. The association with Diodia suggests potential specialization on this plant genus in the family Rubiaceae.
Mompha undescribed-species-on-epilobium-canum
An undescribed species in the genus Mompha (family Momphidae) associated with Epilobium canum (California fuchsia). The species has been documented through larval collections and rearing records but lacks formal taxonomic description. It represents part of the poorly resolved North American Mompha fauna, many species of which are host-specific to Onagraceae.
Mompha undescribed-species-on-galium-eastern
An undescribed species in the genus Mompha (family Momphidae) that has been documented feeding on Galium species in eastern North America. Like other Mompha species, it is a small moth likely associated with specific host plants in the Rubiaceae family. The species remains formally undescribed in scientific literature despite being recognized in field studies and regional biodiversity surveys.
Mompha undescribed-species-on-hamelia-patens
An undescribed species in the genus Mompha (family Momphidae) associated with Hamelia patens, a flowering shrub in the coffee family (Rubiaceae). The species has not received formal scientific description but has been documented through field observations on this specific host plant. Momphidae are small moths, many of which are specialized to particular host plants.
Perimede ricina
Perimede ricina is a small moth described by Ronald W. Hodges in 1962. The species is currently classified in the family Momphidae, though it was historically placed in Cosmopterigidae. It occurs in eastern and central North America, with records spanning from Louisiana to Massachusetts. Adults are active primarily during spring through fall, with some late-season activity in November.
Triclonella determinatella
Orange-banded Triclonella
Triclonella determinatella is a small moth in the family Momphidae (formerly placed in Cosmopterigidae), known from the southeastern and central United States. Adults are active nearly year-round with peak occurrence from spring through autumn. The species is distinguished by its small size and characteristic orange banding pattern. It has been documented from nine states, primarily in the Gulf Coastal Plain and adjacent regions.
Triclonella xuthocelis
Triclonella xuthocelis is a small moth species described by Hodges in 1962. It belongs to the family Momphidae (formerly placed in Cosmopterigidae), a group of small gelechioid moths. The species is restricted to montane regions at the border of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It is known from relatively few observations, reflecting either genuine rarity or limited survey effort in its high-elevation habitat.