Twirler-moth
Guides
Aproaerema adversa
Aproaerema adversa is a small moth in the family Gelechiidae, first described by Annette Frances Braun in 1930. It belongs to a genus of gelechiid moths distributed primarily in the Northern Hemisphere. The species has been recorded from scattered localities across the eastern and western United States. Like other members of its family, it likely has a concealed lifestyle, with larvae that may feed internally on plant tissues.
Aproaerema nigrella
Aproaerema nigrella is a small moth in the family Gelechiidae, commonly known as twirler moths. The species was described by Chambers in 1875. Like other members of this large family, it is a microlepidopteran—typically measuring less than ten millimeters in length. The genus Aproaerema belongs to the subfamily Anacampsinae, which contains numerous small species with poorly documented biology.
Argyrolacia bifida
Argyrolacia bifida is a species of moth in the family Gelechiidae, and the sole member of its genus. It was described by Keifer in 1936 and is known from California, North America. As a gelechiid moth, it belongs to a large family of small moths commonly known as twirler moths. The genus name Argyrolacia derives from Greek roots suggesting silver (argyro-) and some form of covering or garment (lacia), though the specific meaning and relevance to the species' appearance is not documented in available sources.
Aristotelia
twirler moths
Aristotelia is a genus of small moths in the family Gelechiidae, commonly known as twirler moths. These microlepidoptera are characterized by their tiny size yet bold, exotic-looking markings. The genus contains approximately 35 named species in North America north of Mexico, with many additional species awaiting formal description. Aristotelia moths are attracted to blacklights and are frequently encountered during nocturnal insect surveys. Each species specializes on a particular host plant, though collectively the genus utilizes many plant families.
Aristotelia
twirler moths
Aristotelia is a genus of micro-moths in the family Gelechiidae, commonly known as twirler moths. These small, boldly marked moths are primarily nocturnal and attracted to artificial light sources. The genus contains approximately 35 named species in North America, with additional undescribed species awaiting scientific description. Larvae are specialized feeders on particular host plants, with diverse plant families including Salicaceae, Solanaceae, Rosaceae, Fagaceae, Fabaceae, and Asteraceae documented as hosts across different species.
Aristotelia adceanotha
Aristotelia adceanotha is a small moth in the family Gelechiidae, described by Keifer in 1935. It is native to western North America, with confirmed records from California and Washington. The species has a wingspan of 11–12 mm and exhibits distinctive wing patterning with orange-roseate, dark fuscous brown, and white markings. Larvae are specialized feeders on Ceanothus cuneatus, a native shrub in the buckthorn family.
Aristotelia adenostomae
Aristotelia adenostomae is a small moth in the family Gelechiidae, commonly known as twirler moths. It was described by Keifer in 1933 and is known only from California. The species has forewings measuring 4.3–6 mm. Its larvae feed specifically on Adenostoma fasciculatum, a shrub in the rose family commonly called chamise or greasewood.
Aristotelia amelanchierella
Aristotelia amelanchierella is a small moth in the family Gelechiidae, first described by Annette Frances Braun in 1925. The species is found in scattered locations across North America, with records from Oklahoma, Utah, Washington, and West Virginia. The larva is known to feed on Amelanchier alnifolia (serviceberry), making this a host-specific twirler moth.
Aristotelia arenella
Aristotelia arenella is a recently described species of twirler moth in the family Gelechiidae, first described by Lee in 2022. The genus Aristotelia comprises small moths commonly known as twirler moths due to their characteristic resting posture with wings wrapped tightly around the body. Members of this genus are typically microlepidoptera, often under 15mm in length, with bold and distinctive color patterns that aid in identification. The specific epithet 'arenella' suggests an association with sandy habitats, though this remains to be confirmed through ecological study.
Aristotelia argentifera
Aristotelia argentifera is a small moth in the family Gelechiidae, commonly known as twirler moths. It was described by August Busck in 1903 and is known from California and western Nevada. The species is notable for its distinctive wing pattern featuring metallic silvery and bluish iridescent scales. Larvae feed on Ericameria ericoides and Baccharis pilularis.
Aristotelia bifasciella
Aristotelia bifasciella is a small moth in the twirler moth family Gelechiidae, described by August Busck in 1903. It occurs in the southwestern United States, specifically California, Arizona, and Utah. The species is distinguished by its distinctive wing pattern featuring two dark brown transverse bands on a pale yellowish-white background. Like other members of the genus Aristotelia, it is attracted to ultraviolet light sources at night.
Aristotelia calens
Aristotelia calens is a small gelechiid moth described by Edward Meyrick in 1923. It is known from California, with a wingspan of approximately 11 mm. The forewings display a distinctive pattern of brown ground color with multiple white fasciae that are irrorated (sprinkled) with grey, along with characteristic black markings including spots on the costa and fold, and a streak on the fold. The hindwings are grey. It belongs to a genus of "twirler moths" whose larvae are known to specialize on particular host plants.
Aristotelia devexella
Aristotelia devexella is a small moth in the family Gelechiidae, commonly known as twirler moths. The species was described by Annette Frances Braun in 1925. It is known from a limited number of locations in western North America, specifically Alberta, Arizona, and Oklahoma. As with many microlepidoptera in this genus, detailed natural history information remains sparse.
Aristotelia elegantella
Elegant Aristotelia
Aristotelia elegantella is a tiny moth in the family Gelechiidae, commonly known as the Elegant Aristotelia. It was described by Vactor Tousey Chambers in 1874 and is found across much of North America, from southern Canada through the western and central United States. The species is notable for its striking wing pattern featuring bands of white, ochreous-yellow, and iridescent brown. It has been recorded at blacklight setups and appears to be attracted to artificial light sources.
Aristotelia eumeris
Aristotelia eumeris is a small moth in the twirler moth family Gelechiidae, described by Edward Meyrick in 1923. It occurs in the southwestern United States, specifically California and Arizona. The species has a wingspan of approximately 12 mm and exhibits distinctive wing patterning with white fasciae, blackish markings, and rosy dorsal tinging. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with specific host plants, though these remain undocumented for this particular species.
Aristotelia fungivorella
Aristotelia fungivorella is a small gelechiid moth described by James Brackenridge Clemens in 1864. The species has a broad distribution across North America, ranging from Ontario west to British Columbia and south to California, Mississippi, and Alabama. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 11 mm. The larvae develop within galls on willow species Salix cordata and Salix exigua, suggesting a specialized relationship with these host plants.
Aristotelia hexacopa
Aristotelia hexacopa is a microlepidopteran moth in the family Gelechiidae, described by Edward Meyrick in 1929. It belongs to the genus Aristotelia, commonly known as twirler moths. The species is documented from the southwestern United States. Like other members of its genus, it is small and boldly patterned.
Aristotelia isopelta
Aristotelia isopelta is a microlepidopteran moth in the family Gelechiidae, first described by Edward Meyrick in 1929. It belongs to a genus of small 'twirler moths' characterized by bold patterning despite their diminutive size. The species has been recorded across a broad North American range spanning from British Columbia and Quebec to Texas and Arizona. Adults have a wingspan of 9–12 mm. Like other Aristotelia species, the larvae likely specialize on a particular host plant, though specific details remain undocumented.
Aristotelia lespedezae
Aristotelia lespedezae is a small moth in the twirler moth family Gelechiidae, described by Annette Frances Braun in 1930. It occurs in the eastern United States, with records from Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Maine, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, and West Virginia. Adults have been documented from late May through October in Kentucky. The species name references its presumed larval association with Lespedeza plants.
Aristotelia monilella
Aristotelia monilella is a micro-moth in the family Gelechiidae, described by Barnes and Busck in 1920. It is a small species with a wingspan of 12–13 mm, characterized by distinctive white markings on golden-brown forewings. The species has been recorded from Illinois, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Florida.
Aristotelia planitia
Aristotelia planitia is a small moth in the family Gelechiidae, described by Annette Frances Braun in 1925. It is known from a limited number of records in Utah, North America. The species belongs to a genus of "twirler moths" whose larvae typically specialize on particular host plants.
Aristotelia primipilana
Aristotelia primipilana is a small gelechiid moth described by Edward Meyrick in 1923. It belongs to the twirler moth family Gelechiidae, a diverse group of microlepidoptera whose larvae typically feed on specific host plants. The species has been documented in eastern North America with records from Florida and Ontario. Like other members of its genus, it exhibits the bold patterning characteristic of Aristotelia species.
Aristotelia pudibundella
Aristotelia pudibundella is a small moth in the twirler moth family Gelechiidae, described by Zeller in 1873. The species occurs across the southeastern and central United States, with additional records from Haiti, St. Croix, and Quebec. Adults can be distinguished from the similar Aristotelia roseosuffusella by their reduced or absent roseate coloration on the forewings and specific banding patterns. Larvae feed on Malus species and Acacia farnesiana.
Aristotelia roseosuffusella
Pink-washed Aristotelia Moth, Clover Aristotelia Moth, Garden Webworm
Aristotelia roseosuffusella is a small gelechiid moth first described by James Brackenridge Clemens in 1860. The species is commonly known as the pink-washed aristotelia, clover aristotelia moth, or garden webworm. It is native to eastern North America, with a wingspan of approximately 11 mm. The forewings display a distinctive pattern of dark brown with roseate suffusion along the inner margin, combined with white spots and bands.
Aristotelia salicifungiella
Aristotelia salicifungiella is a small moth in the family Gelechiidae, first described by James Brackenridge Clemens in 1865. The species is characterized by distinctive red forewings with complex whitish and dark fuscous patterning. It occurs in scattered locations across North America including California, Illinois, Ohio, and Ontario. Like other members of its genus, it is a "twirler moth" with larvae that specialize on particular host plants.
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.
Battaristis nigratomella
Black-faced Twirler Moth
Battaristis nigratomella is a small moth in the family Gelechiidae, commonly known as the Black-faced Twirler Moth. It is widely distributed across eastern and central North America, with records spanning from Quebec to Texas and Florida to Minnesota. Adults are active from early spring through autumn. The species is readily identified by its distinctive wing pattern of white forewings with pale brown apical markings.
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 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.
Gelechia bianulella
Gelechia bianulella is a small moth in the family Gelechiidae, first described by Chambers in 1875. It belongs to a large genus of twirler moths, many of which are poorly known biologically. The species has been recorded from scattered localities across western and south-central North America.
Gelechia desiliens
Gelechia desiliens is a small moth in the family Gelechiidae, described by Meyrick in 1923. It is known from California, with a wingspan of 19–22 mm. The species exhibits distinctive forewing patterning with light brownish ground color, dark fuscous suffusion, and characteristic stigmata markings.
Megacraspedus
large twirler moths
Megacraspedus is a genus of small to medium-sized moths in the family Gelechiidae, commonly known as large twirler moths. The genus is primarily Palearctic in distribution and has undergone significant taxonomic revision, with 44 new species described in 2018 alone. Members are characterized by relatively short wings, protruding labial palps, and frequent female flightlessness. Many species inhabit high-elevation mountain habitats up to 3,000 meters.
Megacraspedus plutella
Megacraspedus plutella is a small twirler moth (family Gelechiidae) described by V.T. Chambers in 1874. It is the only member of its genus known to occur north of Mexico, with records limited to the southwestern United States. The species is characterized by distinctive forewing coloration with creamy white margins against a dark gray-brown ground color.
Mompha annulata
Perimede annulata
Mompha annulata is a small moth in the family Momphidae, originally described as Perimede annulata by August Busck in 1914. The species is known from Panama and belongs to a family of microlepidoptera commonly referred to as twirler moths. Momphidae species are typically small with narrow wings and are often associated with plant material as larvae.
Monochroa quinquepunctella
Five-spotted Twirler Moth
Monochroa quinquepunctella is a small gelechiid moth native to eastern North America. The species is readily identified by its distinctive pattern of five black dots arranged on pale yellowish forewings. It has been documented from the southeastern United States north to Quebec, with most records concentrated in the Appalachian and Gulf Coastal regions. The common name references both the five spots and the twirling flight characteristic of many gelechiid moths.
Neopalpa donaldtrumpi
Donald Trump Moth
Neopalpa donaldtrumpi is a micro-moth species described in 2017 from specimens collected in the Algodones Dunes of Southern California and Northern Baja California, Mexico. It is the second species in the genus Neopalpa, distinguished by yellowish-white head scales that inspired its eponymous name. The species has a wingspan of less than one centimeter and was discovered through re-examination of museum specimens. Its naming was intended to draw public attention to habitat conservation for undescribed species in urbanized regions.
Neopalpa neonata
Neopalpa neonata is a small moth in the family Gelechiidae, described by Povolný in 1998. It is one of only two species in the genus Neopalpa, which is restricted to the southwestern North American desert region. The species has been recorded from California, Arizona, and western Mexico. Its congener, Neopalpa donaldtrumpi, was described in 2017 and shares the same general distribution.
Pseudotelphusa landryi
Pseudotelphusa landryi is a microlepidopteran moth in the family Gelechiidae, described by Lee in 2011. The species is known from a limited number of records in eastern North America, specifically Quebec and West Virginia. As a member of the genus Pseudotelphusa, it belongs to a group of small moths commonly known as twirler moths. Very little specific biological information has been published for this recently described species.
Theisoa constrictella
Constricted Twirler
Theisoa constrictella is a small moth in the family Gelechiidae, commonly known as the Constricted Twirler. It was first described by Philipp Christoph Zeller in 1873. The species is associated with elm trees (Ulmus), with larvae feeding on these host plants. It is found across the eastern and central United States, with records extending into southern Canada.
Trypanisma
Trypanisma is a genus of small moths in the family Gelechiidae, established by Clemens in 1860. The genus contains a single described species, Trypanisma prudens. Gelechiidae moths are generally small with narrow wings and are commonly known as twirler moths.