Yponomeutidae
Guides
Cedestis
Cedestis is a genus of small moths in the family Yponomeutidae, first described by Zeller in 1839. The genus currently contains seven described species distributed across Europe and Asia, including recently described taxa from Spain and China. Species within this genus are distinguished primarily by genital morphology and DNA barcoding data rather than external appearance. The immature stages and host associations remain unknown for most species.
Eucalantica
Eucalantica is a genus of micro-moths in the family Yponomeutidae, first described by Busck in 1904. The genus was long considered monotypic, known only from a single Nearctic species, until a 2011 taxonomic review described six new species from Central America and southern North America. Members of this genus are characterized by silvery white coloration with distinctive dark brown costal streaks on the forewings. Yponomeutid moths, including Eucalantica, are considered important for understanding the evolution of plant associations in Lepidoptera.
Eucalantica polita
Eucalantica polita is a micro-moth in the family Yponomeutidae, first described by Walsingham in 1881. It represents one of the few Nearctic species in the genus Eucalantica, which is otherwise predominantly Neotropical in distribution. The species is restricted to Pacific coastal regions of western North America.
Euhyponomeutoides
A genus of small moths in the family Yponomeutidae, established by Gaj in 1954. Contains seven described species distributed primarily in the Palearctic region. At least one species, Euhyponomeutoides albithoracellus, is a documented pest of black currant (Ribes nigrum) cultivation in Northern Europe. The genus is poorly studied, with limited biological information available for most species.
Euhyponomeutoides gracilariella
Euhyponomeutoides gracilariella is a small moth species in the family Yponomeutidae (ermine moths), described by August Busck in 1904. The species is known from limited collection records in the Canadian prairie provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan. As with many small yponomeutid moths, detailed biological information remains sparse. The genus Euhyponomeutoides contains relatively few described species, most of which are poorly studied.
Kessleria
Kessleria is a genus of small moths in the family Yponomeutidae, first described by Nowicki in 1864. The genus contains approximately 35 recognized species distributed primarily across the Palearctic region, with additional species found in Madagascar, New Guinea, and Japan. Many species exhibit narrow geographic ranges and are associated with high-elevation or insular habitats. The genus has been subject to significant taxonomic revision, particularly by Huemer and colleagues, who used DNA barcoding to clarify species boundaries.
Ocnerostoma piniariella
White Pine Ermel
A small European moth in the family Yponomeutidae, characterized by its narrow, light grey forewings and grey hindwings. Adults fly in a single generation during summer months. The species is closely similar to Ocnerostoma friesei and requires careful examination for identification.
Ocnerostoma strobivorum
Ocnerostoma strobivorum is a species of ermine moth in the family Yponomeutidae, described by Freeman in 1961. The specific epithet 'strobivorum' indicates an association with conifer cones (strobili), suggesting larval feeding habits. As a member of the genus Ocnerostoma, it belongs to a group of small moths whose larvae often feed on coniferous plants. The species is poorly documented in public literature, with limited biological information available beyond taxonomic records.
Paraswammerdamia nebulella
Hawthorn Ermel
Paraswammerdamia nebulella, known as the Hawthorn Ermel, is a small moth in the family Yponomeutidae. The species is primarily associated with hawthorn (Crataegus) as a larval host plant. It is distributed across Europe, with records from multiple countries including Sweden. The species has been historically confused with P. lutarea, which is now treated as a synonym.
Podiasa
Podiasa is a genus of small moths in the family Yponomeutidae, established by August Busck in 1900. The genus contains a single described species, Podiasa chiococcella, also described by Busck in the same year. Yponomeutidae moths are commonly known as ermine moths, though specific common names for Podiasa have not been recorded. The genus is poorly documented in scientific literature.
Swammerdamia
Swammerdamia is a genus of small moths in the family Yponomeutidae, established by Hübner in 1825. The genus contains approximately 13 described species distributed across the Palearctic, Afrotropical, and Nearctic regions. Species are associated with various host plants, including Rosaceae. The genus is named in honor of the Dutch naturalist Jan Swammerdam.
Swammerdamia caesiella
Birch Ermel
Swammerdamia caesiella is a small ermine moth in the family Yponomeutidae, commonly known as the Birch Ermel. It has a broad distribution across Europe, Asia, and North America, where it may have been introduced. The species is bivoltine, with adults active in spring and late summer. Larvae specialize on birch foliage.
Swammerdamia pyrella
Little Ermel, Rufous-tipped Swammerdamia Moth
A small ermine moth (Yponomeutidae) with a wingspan of 10–13 mm, distributed across Europe, North America, and Japan. Adults fly in two generations from late April to August. Larvae feed on Rosaceae fruit trees, initially mining leaves then feeding externally while tying leaf edges with silk to form protective 'boats'. The species serves as host to a diverse parasitoid community and is subject to significant natural biological control.
Yponomeutinae
ermine moths (subfamily)
Yponomeutinae is a subfamily of small moths (micromoths) in the family Yponomeutidae, containing the type genus Yponomeuta. The subfamily has worldwide distribution. Members are characterized by their small size and often distinctive wing patterns. The group has been subject to recent taxonomic revision, particularly in Asia where new species continue to be described.
Zelleria
Zelleria is a genus of micro-moths in the family Yponomeutidae, comprising approximately 60 described species distributed across Europe, Asia, and North America. The genus was established by Stainton in 1849. Species vary in host plant associations, with some specializing on ash (Fraxinus), pine (Pinus), or other woody plants. Larval habits include leaf mining and needle-sheath mining in conifers.
Zelleria celastrusella
Zelleria celastrusella is a species of small ermine moth in the family Yponomeutidae, described by Kearfott in 1903. The species belongs to the genus Zelleria, which comprises small moths often associated with leaf-mining or web-spinning habits. Very few observations of this species have been documented, with only five records in iNaturalist as of the source date.
Zelleria ochroplagiata
Zelleria ochroplagiata is a small moth species in the family Yponomeutidae (ermine moths), described by Braun in 1918. The genus Zelleria comprises numerous small, often poorly known species, many of which are associated with specific host plants. This species is known from a limited number of observations and collections, primarily in North America. Like other Yponomeutidae, it likely has a concealed larval stage and adult moths with characteristic narrow wings.